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The  TiNV  "Shekza" 
as  she  came  jrom  Her  Imperial  Majesty,  the  Empress 
Dowager  of  China  [  page  50  ] 


OLD   CHINA   AND 
YOUNG  AMERICA 


BY 


SARAH    PIKE    CONGER 

AUTHOR  OF   "letters   FROM   CHINA**   ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED 


SECOND  EDITION 


CHICAGO 
F.   G.    BROWNE   &   CO. 

1913 


COPYRIGHT,     I913 
BY    F.    G.     B  R  O  W  NE    &    CO. 


Copyright  in  England 
All  rights  reserved 


PUBLISHED,    MARCH,    I913 


THE- PLIMPTON- PRESS 
NORWOOD'MASS'U'S'A 


Lovingly  dedicated 

to 

Helen  Conger  Moulton 


567184 


.  ••  • 


•  .  • 


•  ••  • 


The  good  we  do  is  an  ever-burning  light.  ■  It 
never  goes  out  nor  grows  dim.      It  is  oj  God 


//  /  touch  the  fountain  of  love  in  the  heart 

oj  but  one  child  and  quicken  it  into  action 

I  shall  have  walked  with  God 


My  dear  Young  Friends: 

You  gather  about  me  asking  for  stories. 
It  is  a  request  to  which  I  gladly  respond. 
Life  is  made  up  of  stories.  Each  of  us 
weaves  into  a  book  of  experience  an  influ- 
ence which  affects  not  only  humanity  but 
every  living  thing.  Each  story  has  its  lights 
and  shadows,  its  majors  and  minors. 

The  stories  here  compiled  are  founded 
upon  facts.  They  are  scattered  pages  torn 
from  a  life  full  of  events.  They  have  come 
into  my  life  as  open  windows,  enabling  me 
to  look  out  into  the  world  of  love.  Come 
and  share  them  with  me. 

SARAH  PIKE  CONGER 

Pasadena,  California 
January  i,  igi^ 


CONTENTS 
Part  I  — OLD  CHINA 

PAGE 

A  Story  of  the  Flag 15 

The  Tie  that  Binds— A  Wonderful  Picture  19 

The  Power  of  Music,  1900 23 

A  Service  in  the  Forbidden  City,  1904    .  27 

Nothing  Common 30 

A  Chinese  Santa  Claus 34 

The  Folly  of  Ignorance 37 

An  Ancient  Custom 41 

Tower,  Lao  Hu,  and  Moi  Yu     ....  44 

Sherza  and  Lao  Hu 50 

Things  Talk 56 

China's  Religion 59 

A  Wonderful  Woman — The  Late  Empress 

Dowager  of  China 64 

China's  Strength 73 

Yuan-Shih-K'ai,  the  President  of  China  78 

Part  II— YOUNG  AMERICA 

Love's  Altar 87 

The  Home 91 

The  Kindergarten 93 

A  Talk  with  Father 95 

Our  School-Teachers 97 

Beauty  and  Culture 99 

The  Sacrifice 103 

The  Lesson 105 

Every  Good  Deed  is  Reflected  in  Good  107 

Overcoming  Difficulties no 


10  CONTENTS 

FAOB 

PousH  Your  Shoes 113 

The  Lesson  of  the  Church  Organ      .     .  115 

Our  Point  of  View 119 

Loving  Words 121 

The  Wedding 122 

Shadow  and  Reflection 124 

The  Holy  Bible 127 

Patriotism 129 

Nations  Love  Wealth 134 

Saluting  the  Flag 138 

The  Star  Eagle's  Promise,  1864      .     .     .  141 

The  Salvation  Army 143 

Our  Flag  Honored 148 

Our  School  Banner,  1858 150 

Our  National  Cemeteries      .     .     .     .     .  156 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Tiny  "Sherza'* Frontispiece 

One  of  China's  Great  Men  —  His  Excellency 

Wu  Ting  Fang i6 

Marine  Guards  of  Eight  Nations  in  China       .  20 

Sir  Robert  Hart  and  his  Band 24 

A  Real  Chinese  Baby 38 

An  American  Baby  in  Chinese  Clothes      .     .  38 

Tower,  Lao  Hu,  and  Moi  Yu 44 

Feeding  the  Pets 46 

"Sherza's"RivaI  — Baby  "Lao  Hu"  ...  50 
Her    Imperial    Majesty,   the    Late    Empress 

Dowager  of  China 64 

Ching  Chun  Wang  —  An  Untiring  Worker  for 

his  Country 74 

General   Yuan-Shih-K'ai,  First   President    of 

China 78 

Talking  it  Over 96 

The  Sacrifice 104 

What  is  Reflection,  Grandmother  ?  .     .     .     .  124 

Saluting  the  Flag 138 


PART    I 
OLD   CHINA 


OLD  CHINA  AND 
YOUNG  AMERICA 

A  STORY  OF  THE  FLAG 

1  AM  going  to  tell  you  a  story  which 
to  me  is  full  of  beauty.  It  was 
planted  in  love,  and  grew  watered 
by  the  flowing  heart  fountain. 

Old  China  and  Young  America. 
These  represent  the  extremes  of 
history.  Between  them  the  other 
nations  of  the  world  fill  in,  each 
with  its  own  manners  and  customs. 
Each  country  has  its  patriotic  colors, 
its  national  song,  its  flag,  and  these 
countries  difi'er  from  each  other  in  no 
one  thing  so  much  as  in  the  use  of 
their  flag.  An  Englishman  once  said 
to  me:  **We  use  our  flag  only  when 
necessary.  You  use  yours  upon  the 
slightest  provocation."  Let  this  be 
forever  true. 

In  China — that  oldest  of  countries 
and  newest  of  republics  —  the  flag 


l6  OLDCHINA 

is  used  only  upon  state  occasions. 
Until  the  fall  of  the  empire,  subjects 
were  not  permitted  to  use  it,  and 
even  today  a  Chinese  flag  cannot 
be  bought. 

It  was  in  the  year  1900  that  the 
representatives  of  eleven  diff'erent 
nations  were  besieged  in  Peking.  As 
the  wife  of  the  American  Minister  to 
China  I  was  one  of  the  little  band 
hemmed  in  behind  those  walls  and 
barricades.  Almost  every  hour  of 
the  twenty-four  we  were  fired  upon 
from  without.  Bravely  we  watched 
and  prayed  and  worked  and  fought 
during  those  trying  days.  We  knew 
that  the  heart  of  the  whole  world 
throbbed  in  sympathy.  The  prayers 
of  the  nations  for  their  own  and  the 
people  of  their  sister-countries  were 
borne  to  us  on  the  wings  of  love. 
Suff'ering  and  sacrifices  cast  their 
gloom  over  our  little  band,  yet  there 
was  in  our  hearts  always  a  ray  of 
sunshine  which  gave  us  buoyancy 
and  strength.  God  smiled  upon  the 
besieged  in  that  awful  experience  and 
we  recognized  His  smiles  in  blessings. 

The  day  of  deliverance  came,  and 


One  of  China's  Great  Men 

His  Excellency,  Wu  Ting  Fang,  Chinese  Minister  to  the 

United  States,  Pioneer  worker  for  a  Chinese  Republic 


STORY     OF     THE     FLAG        IJ 

the  glory  of  that  day  no  pen  or  brush 
can  depict.  The  American  Minis- 
ter and  his  family  remained  in  Peking 
for  many  months  after  the  siege  was 
raised.  The  representatives  of  the 
eleven  nations  and  China  worked 
diligently  but  cautiously  together 
upon  the  Joint  Note  which  was 
to  settle  the  intricate  questions  into 
which  the  siege  had  plunged  them. 
It  was  a  long  waiting,  but  after 
the  settlement  the  hour  for  the 
start  homeward  arrived.  When  the 
steamer  landed  on  the  home  coast 
the  wildest  enthusiasm  greeted  it. 
Every  act  thrilled  and  throbbed 
with  welcome.  The  ovations  were 
winged  fairy  stories,  increasing  as 
the  rescued  party  neared  the  home 
State.  The  pent-up  horrors  of  the 
siege  and  the  fear  for  the  safety 
of  the  Minister  and  his  family  van- 
ished in  a  sunburst  and  friendship's 
diamonds  sparkled  in  splendor.  The 
tear's  bow  of  promise  told  far  more 
than  the  spoken  word. 

One  happy,  bright  day  after  the 
home  coming,  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
an  official  from  the  State  Capitol,  with 


l8  OLDCHINA 

a  package  in  his  hand,  called  upon 
the  Minister's  wife.  He  presented 
her  with  the  package  and  said: 

"During  those  horrible  weeks  in 
Peking,  our  fears  for  your  safety 
were  great.  When  we  learned  that 
the  siege  was  raised,  we  joyfully 
hoisted  our  nation's  flag  over  our 
State  Capitol  building.  It  waved 
there  through  the  summer  heat,  the 
autumn  rains  and  wind,  the  winter 
freezings  and  the  spring  bloom.  It 
was  never  lowered  until  you  had 
returned  in  safety  to  the  soil  of  Iowa, 
and  here  it  is,     I  present  it  to  you." 

The  Minister's  wife  unwrapped  it 
and  bowed  to  it  in  tears.  It  was 
tattered  and  worn  and  almost  black. 
It,  too,  had  been  in  a  siege  and  had 
done  its  best.  The  stripes  were  al- 
most gone,  but  the  stars  on  their  blue 
field  were  all  there!  This  woman, 
who  dearly  loved  her  country's  flag, 
felt  keenly  and  heard  understand- 
ingly  what  it  said  to  her  but  it  was 
a  sacred  secret  and  could  never  be 
put  into  words.  She  continues  to 
treasure  it  as  one  of  her  choicest 
jewels. 


THE    TIE    THAT    BINDS - 
WONDERFUL  PICTURE 


F 


OR  two  years  before  the  siege 
there  had  been  increasing  unrest 
in  China.  The  foreigner  had  be- 
come so  aggressive  that  the  Chinese 
had  decided  that  without  doubt  it 
was  to  their  best  interests  to  get 
rid  of  the  troublesome  visitor  and 
all  of  his  belongings.  But  not  until 
1900  did  they  decide  just  how  it 
could  be  done. 

As  China's  attitude  became  more 
and  more  threatening  toward  foreign- 
ers, eight  foreign  governments  sent 
marine  guards  to  their  respective 
legations  in  Peking.  These  guards 
watched  the  legations  night  and 
day  with  vigilance.  It  was  con- 
ceived to  have  a  group  picture  of 
the  eight  nationalities  taken  in  the 
large  grounds  of  the  British  Legation. 
The  United  States  guards  marched 
from  their  legation  home  with  their 
nation's   colors  waving  over   them. 


20  OLDCHINA 

At  the  British  Legation  each  guard 
drew  lots  for  its  position  in  the  pic- 
ture. The  United  States  guards  drew 
the  center,  and  there  they  stand, 
with  the  flag.  Not  one  of  the  others 
carried  their  nation's  emblem.  The 
United  States  officer  said  later:  "No 
one  objected  to  the  flag,  and  it 
would  have  broken  the  boys'  hearts 
if  I  had  asked  them  to  lay  it  aside." 

Is  there  in  afl  the  world  another 
picture  Hke  this?  Look  at  it,  — 
listen  to  it!  Warriors  of  eight  nations 
standing  peacefuHy  together  in  a 
foreign  land:  Does  it  not  tell  a 
wonderful  story  in  a  language  famil- 
iar to  all  mankind?  Is  it  not  pro- 
phetic of  that  glorious  day  when 
there  shall  be  peace  among  all 
nations? 

But  I  must  tell  you  the  rest  of 
the  story.  Troubles  faded  and  the 
guards  withdrew;  but  in  1900  clouds 
darkly  hovered  over  North  China, 
and  the  eight  nations  again  landed 
their  Marine  Guards  to  protect  the 
foreigners  against  the  revengeful 
wrath  of  the  Chinese.  For  eight 
weeks    these    foreigners    in    Peking 


•  c  c    c 


THE     TIE     THAT     BINDS      21 

were  besieged  and  under  almost  con- 
stant fire.  By  day  and  by  night, 
our  nation's  emblem  watched  over 
us  and  waved  its  promise  of  protec- 
tion. That  beautiful  flag!  On  June 
1 8,  1900,  its  colors  were  bright. 
There  was  not  upon  its  folds  one 
stain  or  .blemish  or  scar.  It  stood 
for  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  greater  loyalty  was  never  known 
than  it  proclaimed  and  gave.  It  was 
a  target  for  the  Chinese  guns,  but  it 
seemed  that  through  its  stalwart 
armor  they  could  not  riddle  nor 
destroy  it. 

One  memorable  day  we  stood  in 
the  American  Legation,  almost  un- 
der shelter  of  this  flag,  and  watched 
the  sheHs  as  they  came  whizzing  one 
after  another,  bursting  at  right  and 
left,  above  and  below,  but  not 
touching  our  stars  and  stripes.  We 
clasped  our  hands  in  praise.  But  at 
last  a  cruel  shell  burst  at  the  base 
of  its  standard.  It  shattered  the 
roof  of  the  gate  house  and  the  flag 
fell,  clinging  unharmed  to  its  stand- 
ard, —  no  sooner  falling  than  the 
brave  United  States  Marines  caught 


22  OLDCHINA 

it  ere  it  reached  the  ground,  and  up 
it  went  in  a  tree  near  by,  and  there 
it  waved  in  triumph  until  August  14, 
the  day  the  allied  forces  lifted  the 
siege. 

But  this  dear  flag  had  served  its 
day  and  a  bright  new  one  rose  over 
the  gate  house.  I  saw  it,  aud  sought 
out  the  old  flag,  —  it  was  my  love. 
I  found  it  cast  aside.  It  is  one  of 
my  treasures  and  I  caress  it. 


THE  POWER  OF  MUSIC 


W 


1900 


HILE  the  allied  forces  of  the 
eight  foreign  nations  were  still  in 
Peking,  General  Chaffee  invited  the 
American  Minister,  his  family,  his 
staff  members  and  their  families, 
with  others,  to  witness  the  raising 
of  our  flag  at  the  American  camp 
headquarters  in  the  Temple  of 
Agriculture. 

In  an  open  field  of  this  Temple 
was  a  very  large,  elevated,  open, 
white  marble  altar  platform,  with  a 
marble  balustrade  encirchng  it.  The 
guests  occupied  this  beautiful  place 
with  nothing  obstructing  their  view. 
The  infantry  stood  in  review  at 
the  east  of  this  marble  platform;  the 
mounted  cavalry  on  the  south;  the 
artillery  on  the  west;  and  the  band 
on  the  north,  with  the  officers  who 
were  conducting  the  ceremonies.  At 
twelve    o'clock  the  band  began  to 


24  OLDCHINA 

play  "The  Star-spangled  Banner." 
Every  one  was  on  his  feet,  heads 
were  uncovered,  and  the  flag  began 
to  rise.  Up  it  steadily  went  —  up  — 
up,  and  when  the  last  note  sounded 
it  was  at  the  top  of  that  high  pole. 
Thrilling  cheers  greeted  it  in  its  tri- 
umphant waving.  At  home  we  dearly 
love  our  flag,  but  in  foreign  lands  we 
almost  worship  at  its  shrine. 

In  those  dark  days  of  resentment 
after  the  siege,  the  foreigner  showed 
little  respect  or  consideration  for 
the  Chinese  or  their  effects.  One 
day,  two  Russian  soldiers  entered 
the  home  of  a  well-to-do  Chinaman, 
searching  through  everything,  loot- 
ing, and  insulting  the  women  and 
children.  The  husband  and  father 
protested,  but  to  no  effect.  Finally, 
he  began  to  play  the  Russian  na- 
tional air  upon  a  piccolo.  The  two 
men  at  once  dropped  their  loot, 
stopped  their  bad  behavior,  and  be- 
came men  of  honor.  They  stood 
erect  and  silent  before  the  musician 
and  listened  to  his  sweet  music.  At 
its  finish  they  saluted  and  passed 
out  into  the  street  empty-handed. 


c 


*   c     • 

c      •     • 


THE     POWER     OF     MUSIC      25 

Every  nation  and  every  individual 
has  a  note  in  the  rhythm  of  life 
which,  if  struck,  peals  forth  its  sweet 
melody,  and  the  brotherhood  of  man 
is  heard  and  felt.  I  asked  a  Russian 
grand  duke  the  meaning  of  this 
great  respect  to  their  national  air. 
He  replied,  "It  is  a  prayer."  You 
may  question  how  this  Chinese  knew 
Russian  music. 

In  Peking  there  was  an  English 
gentleman,  Sir  Robert  Hart,  In- 
spector-General of  the  Chinese  Cus- 
toms. He  was  a  lover  of  music  and 
believed  in  its  efficacy.  He  formed 
a  band  of  forty  pieces,  hired  these 
men  (Chinese),  paid  their  instructor, 
bought  their  fine  foreign  instruments, 
foreign  music,  Chinese  uniforms,  and 
in  fact  everything  pertaining  to  a 
good  band;  then  invited  foreigners 
to  his  lawn  parties,  outdoor  con- 
certs, dances  in  his  ballroom,  dinners, 
and  Wednesday  "at  home."  It  was 
the  only  band  in  Peking.  When 
the  siege  came  upon  us,  Sir  Robert, 
with  the  other  foreigners,  was  com- 
pelled to  flee  for  his  life  from  his 
beautiful    home,    gardens,    and    all 


26  OLDCHINA 

of  his  belongings,  to  the  British 
Legation.  His  bandmen  fled  far 
and  near.  This  Chinese  with  his 
piccolo  was  one  of  these  men.  Surely, 
no  good  thought  or  act  is  ever  lost. 
If  there  had  been  no  other  harvest 
from  the  wealth  Sir  Robert  put  into 
that  band,  the  saving  of  that  Chinese 
family  was  harvest  rich  enough.  It 
is  well  to  have  the  silent  melody  of 
sincere  prayer  echoing  and  re-echoing 
in  our  national  airs  and  emblems. 
It  is  Love's  peaceful,  tender  voice 
without  word  or  sound. 


A    SERVICE    IN    THE 
FORBIDDEN  CITY 

1904 

JjjARLY  one  morning  while  out 
upon  our  horses  in  a  refreshing  ride, 
we  perceived  piles  of  yellow  soil 
by  the  roadside.  We  knew  that 
the  soil  pertained  to  the  Imperial 
Court,  as  it  was  yellow,  and  that  it 
would  be  scattered  over  the  line  of 
march  to  the  Forbidden  City.  On 
inquiry  we  learned  that  the  Empress 
and  her  court  princesses  were  com- 
ing in  from  the  summer  palace  for 
a  special  service  at  a  special  shrine 
in  the  Forbidden  City.  The  Empress 
and  her  princesses  bow  before  this 
shrine  in  behalf  of  the  silkworm. 
Here  they  offer  sacrifices  and  prayers 
for  the  protection,  sustenance,  and 
success  of  these  little  worms.  A 
princess  explained  that  there  are 
different  shrines  and  temples  in  China 
for  the  worship  of  different  gods. 


28  OLDCHINA 

The  Emperor  has  a  care  for  the 
people  in  general  and  makes  pil- 
grimages to  these  sacred  places,  with 
prayers  and  sacrifices  for  the  good 
of  the  whole  Empire,  while  the  Em- 
press has  a  special  care  for  the 
domestic  and  personal  needs  of  her 
subjects.  This  princess  was  one  of 
Her  Majesty's  assistants  in  the  cere- 
mony to  the  god  of  the  silkworm. 
After  the  wonderful  work  of  the 
little  worm  was  finished  —  after  each 
had  wrapped  itself  carefully,  thread 
by  thread,  in  its  almost  perfect 
cocoon  —  we  were  out  again  riding 
and  saw  the  yellow  soil  scattered 
upon  the  street  and  the  court  in 
imperial  procession  coming  into  the 
city,  to  worship  again  at  the  shrine 
of  the  god  of  this  industrious  worm. 
This  time  the  Empress  and  her 
princesses  were  bringing  their  offer- 
ings of  gratitude  and  thanks.  No 
Chinese  shrine  for  centuries  has 
received  more  devotion  than  this 
one,  and  greater  and  still  greater 
successes  have  followed  and  blessed 
this  marvelous  industry. 

China  is  conceded  to  be  the  home 


THE     FORBIDDEN     CITY      29 

in  which  the  silkworm  was  dis- 
covered some  three  or  four  thousand 
years  ago.  There  are  vague  ancient 
stories  of  the  utihty  of  this  indus- 
trious worm  and  the  silk  making. 
For  centuries  China  jealously  pro- 
tected from  foreign  invaders  the 
secrets  of  the  silk  industry,  which 
grew  to  such  vastness  and  value 
that  many  parts  of  the  civilized 
world  were  aroused  with  a  desire 
and  determination  to  partake  of  it. 
But  China  always  has  held  and 
still  holds  the  highest  honors  in 
the  making  of  superior  and  almost 
numberless  varieties  of  silk  fabrics. 
Many  of  these  older  preserved  silk 
textiles  are  exquisite  in  design,  work- 
manship, quahty,  coloring,  and  value. 
No  word  or  brush  can  portray  with 
accuracy  the  richness  and  beauty  of 
these  productions.  The  little  worm 
and,  the  stalwart  man  work  together 
to  produce  them. 


NOTHING  COMMON 

J.  O  the  Chinese  their  simplest 
things  are  not  "common."  Each 
and  all  have  their  underlying  mean- 
ing, and  it  is  so  well  known  by  the 
Chinese  that  they  detect  and  listen 
to  the  voices  of  these  silently  speak- 
ing things.  The  Chinese  have  many 
feast  days  and  celebrate  them  accord- 
ing to  ceremonies  awarded  them. 
For  birthdays  and  weddings  every 
gift  must  bear  in  some  pronounced 
way  two  love  characters  standing 
side  by  side,  with  a  bar  uniting 
them,  —  "two  loves  united."  Every 
tree,  shrub,  plant,  and  flower,  every 
reptile,  insect,  bird,  and  animal  is 
symbolical  of  a  certain  idea  and  in 
some,  representation  carries  its  greet- 
ing to  the  different  celebrations. 

I  often  took  embroideries,  fabrics, 
porcelains,  brasses,  bronzes,  cloi- 
sonne, lacquer,  and  wood  carvings  to 
a  scholar  and  had  them  read  to  me. 
As  we  broaden  our  views,  the  bar- 


NOTHING     COMMON  31 

riers  which  hedge  us  in  break  away, 
and  the  golden  rule  makes  mellow 
our  thoughts  with  broader  recogni- 
tion and  more  generous  activities. 

The  educated  Chinese  and  those 
of  recognized  standing  in  the  social 
and  official  world  have  an  acknowl- 
edged place  of  their  own  and  that 
place  is  respected,  and  this  is  just 
as  true  with  every  caste  of  the 
Chinese,  from  the  throne  to  the 
beggar.  They  never  elbow  each 
other  nor  step  upon  one  another's 
toes,  because  each  knows  his  own 
rights  and  claims  nothing  else.  They 
have  their  court  and  common  eti- 
quette, to  which  they  adhere.  Even 
if  their  customs  differ  from  those 
of  the  other  nations,  they  may  be 
just  as  proper  in  the  sight  of  the 
Great  Judicial  Court  of  all  as  the 
etiquette  more  generally  accepted  by 
other  people.  The  innate  grace,  cor- 
dial poKteness,  and  untiring  watch- 
fulness of  the  higher  classes  make 
them  most  attractive  hosts  and  host- 
esses. When  we  get  near  them  in 
their  palaces  and  homes,  under  dif- 
ferent circumstances,  there  is  a  depth 


32  OLDCHINA 

of  feeling  that  wells  up  through 
their  surface  cement  that  floods  one 
and  awakens  a  desire  to  be  more 
worthy  within  oneself,  —  to  be  better 
able  to  meet  this  flood  in  like 
strength. 

With  smaH  beginning,  little  by 
little,  ways  opened  for  me  to  enter 
forbidden  places,  sacred  places,  places 
of  sorrow  and  of  rejoicing.  The 
Empress  Dowager,  the  Empress,  the 
princesses,  and  Chinese  ladies,  have 
taken  me  by  the  hand  and  gently 
led  me  through  every  part  of  their 
palaces  (even  their  ancestral  hafls) 
and  friendlily  talked  all  the  while. 
Our  conversation  was  always  through 
an  interpreter,  but  a  press  of  the 
hand,  expression  of  eye  and  face,  told 
even  more  than  the  uttered  words. 
We  became  friends,  and  heart  spoke 
to  heart  in  a  common  language.  I 
grew  very  fond  of  these  ladies  and  felt 
at  home  with  them.  In  our  many 
meetings  and  talks  a  quality  of 
character  was  detected  which  I  had 
never  felt  before.  I  have  never 
named  this  quality,  because  I  find 
no   word   that   describes   it.     Some 


NOTHING     COMMON  33 

thoughts  and  affections  are  deeper 
than  the  most  powerful  words;  they 
are  the  expressions  of  the  Great 
Infinite  Mind  and  Heart,  uniting 
humanity. 

Every  good  thought,  expressed  or  un- 
expressed,   is    echoing    and    re- 
echoing in  the  vast  Jorever. 


A  CHINESE  SANTA  CLAUS 


C 


HILDREN  are  teachable  and 
they  are  lovable.  They  appeal  to 
older  people  in  their  little  individ- 
ualities. 

A  letter  came  to  the  Peking  Post- 
office  addressed  as  follows: 

Santa  Claus, 

Peking,  China. 

It  bore  the  United  States  postage, 
therefore  it  was  sent  to  the  United 
States  Minister.  Within  was  a  letter 
written  by  a  little  girl  in  America 
to  "Dear  Santa."  Evidently  she 
had  been  told  that  Santa  was  in 
China,  and  she  wrote  telling  her 
Christmas  needs.  The  Minister's 
wife  answered  the  letter  as  follows: 

"Peking,  China. 
Jan.  25,  1903. 
"Dear  Martha: 

"I  am  *  Santa'  and  your  letter 
came  across  the  seas  to  me  in  China. 
I  was  very  near  to  you  in  your  own 
home,  and  did  you  not  know  it? 


CHINESE     SANTA     GLAUS      35 

"I  am  *Love'  and  I  am  known 
everywhere,  for  I  live  in  the  hearts 
of  father,  mother,  sister,  brother, 
grandparents,  uncle,  aunt,  cousin, 
and  friend,  and  through  them  I  am 
known  to  the  dear  children.  What 
made  my  little  Martha  write  to 
far-off  China  to  find  Love  Santa 
Claus? 

**  Perhaps  your  child  heart  detects 
Love's  far-reaching  life  more  readily 
than  older  persons'. 

"You  are  quite  right,  Santa  Claus 
is  here  in  Peking  and  his  warm, 
generous  love  is  manifested  through 
these  Chinese  people. 

"Christmas  Day  has  passed  long 
ago,  but  Love  Santa  Claus  lives 
right  on  and  always  has  many  gifts 
for  the  little  ones.  I,  Santa  Claus, 
am  with  you  in  your  dear  home,  and 
your  letter  makes  me  reach  out  to 
you  from  China. 

"I   send   a   little   box   of    simple 

Chinese  toys  to  my  little  Martha. 

Love  and   good  wishes   will  surely 

I  bear  them  safely  to  you. 

^  "Be    a    good    little    girl,    kind  to 

everybody,  so  that  you  will  know 


36  OLDCHINA 

that  Love  is  always  with  you,  mak- 
ing you  very  happy. 

"Love,  Love  always, 

"Santa." 

This  lady  strove  to  cover  all  of 
her  steps,  so  that  no  one  could  im- 
agine the  identity  of  the  writer.  The 
next  Christmas  another  letter,  ad- 
dressed the  same,  came  to  the  United 
States  Legation  from  an  older  child. 
It  was  nicely  written  and  told  of 
Martha's  receiving  Santa's  letter 
and  little  gifts.  It  stated  that  no 
gifts  were  desired,  but  instead  Santa's 
autograph  on  the  enclosed  blank 
card.  As  the  lady  could  not  give 
her  name,  no  reply  was  sent. 


THE   FOLLY   OF   IGNORANCE 

VV  HEN  Baby  Sarah  came  into 
the  home  of  her  father  and  mother, 
a  cablegram  darted  across  the  Pacific 
and  into  the  American  Legation  at 
Peking.  It  was  received  with  rejoic- 
ings. The  Chinese  rejoiced  with  the 
grandparents,  from  throne  down 
through  many  callings  of  life  to  the 
humblest  of  their  servants,  recogniz- 
ing that  a  wonderful  event  was  theirs 
as  child-bearing  is  considered  the 
greatest  honor  and  blessing  that  can 
come  to  a  home.  Many  gifts,  both 
beautiful  and  simple,  were  brought 
or  sent  to  be  forwarded  to  the  little 
granddaughter.  Among  these,  were 
suits  of  Chinese  clothing.  These 
were  complete,  even  to  the  hats, 
shoes,  and  stockings.  Many  were 
beautifully  made  of  embroidered  silk 
or  satin  with  fancy  hats  and  em- 
broidered shoes. 

The  little  one's  parents  were  de- 
lighted and  wrote  that  when  Sarah 


38  OLDCHINA 

grew  into  the  smallest  suit  they 
would  have  her  picture  taken  and 
send  it  to  China.  After  a  time  it 
came.  The  mother  wrote  that  the 
hat  was  too  small,  also  the  shoes, 
but  she  had  taken  from  larger  suits 
those  that  fitted  the  child.  The 
mother  had  never  seen  little  Chinese 
girls  dressed,  hence  did  not  know  that 
all  the  garments  hang  gracefully  from 
their  shoulders  to  their  feet,  the 
sleeves  covering  the  hands,  and  un- 
dergarments not  visible  at  all.  Little 
Sarah  had  not  only  outgrown  the  hat 
and  shoes,  which  she  could  not  get  on, 
but  the  whole  suit,  which  was  a  very 
plain  one  and  for  a  much  younger 
child. 

The  Chinese  are  very  particular 
about  the  style  and  completeness 
of  their  dress.  The  grandparents 
did  not  show  them  the  picture  of 
little  Sarah  because  it  would  have 
grieved  them.  But  they  sent  the 
mother  a  picture  of  a  little  princess, 
showing  the  contrast  and  how  the 
Chinese  babies  wear  their  clothes. 

This  story  is  not  without  a  lesson. 
It  illustrates  the  effect  of  ignorantly 


A  Real  Chinese  Baby 


An  American  Baby  in 
Chinese  Clothes 


FOLLY     OF     IGNORANCE      39 

portraying  people,  their  manners,  or 
fashions.  Often,  in  doing  so,  we 
come  no  nearer  the  truth  than  the 
ape  does  to  the  true  man.  Some- 
times offense  is  taken  although  none 
is  intended.  The  wife  of  the  Jap- 
anese Minister  and  Sarah's  grand- 
mother were  visiting  a  foreign  lady 
in  Peking.  With  seeming  great 
pleasure  this  lady  brought  to  them 
a  large  photograph  of  herself,  stand- 
ing, representing  a  Chinese  lady. 
Now,  the  costumes  of  the  Manchu 
and  the  Chinese  lady,  the  style  of 
wearing  the  hair  and  dressing  the 
feet,  bear  a  marked  difference.  On 
the  head  of  the  lady  in  this  picture 
was  a  Manchu  head  decoration 
perched  upon  the  light-colored, 
puffed  hair  of  the  foreigner.  The 
picture  showed  the  pleated  skirt  and 
coat  of  the  Chinese  lady,  but  on  the 
feet  were  Manchu  shoes.  The  mix- 
ture of  foreign  hair,  Manchu  head- 
dress and  shoes,  with  the  Chinese 
skirt  and  coat  was  an  absurdity.  It 
represented  absolutely  nothing. 

When  opportunity  presented,  the 
Japanese  baroness  pathetically  said: 


40  OLDCHINA 

"The  Chinese  are  just  as  exacting 
among  their  well-bred  people  about 
their  rules  of  propriety  as  my  people 
are.  Every  color,  shade  of  color,  and 
fold  has  its  awarded  place,  and  it  is 
almost  exasperating  to  see  foreigners 
ignore  every  one  of  them  in  striving, 
ignorantly,  to  represent  us." 

It  is  dangerous  to  imitate  in  ignorance. 
We  only  caricature  ourselves. 


AN  ANCIENT  CUSTOM 


T 


HERE  is  a  custom  in  China  to 
observe  certain  ceremonies  during 
the  passage  of  the  shadow  which 
eclipses  the  sun's  direct  rays  from 
our  earth.  This  custom  bears  the 
date  of  ages  long  past. 

A  party  of  Americans  in  Peking 
was  permitted  to  witness  the  cere- 
monies of  the  Chinese  officials  during 
a  total  eclipse  of  the  sun.  These 
ceremonies  were  observed  in  the  open 
court  of  one  of  their  Imperial  Boards. 
Extending  in  front  of  a  large  build- 
ing facing  the  south  was  an  immense 
platform.  In  their  proper  places 
were  musicians  playing  their  waihng 
music  upon  various  instruments, 
from  the  shrill  Httle  tones  to  the 
heavy  bass.  These  in  chorus 
sounded  their  doleful  voices  to 
frighten  away  the  "evil  spirit"  that 
was  striving  to  "devour  the  sun." 
Many  imperially  robed  officials,  in 


42  OLDCHINA 

special  groups  and  at  stated  periods, 
quietly  and  solemnly  emerged  from 
the  building  and  knelt  on  yellow 
cushions  upon  this  platform.  After 
their  strange  incantations  and  cere- 
monies they  departed  and  others 
appeared.  This  continued  until  the 
sun  was  rescued  and  smiled  again  in 
glory. 

Through  all  time  the  heavens 
have  awakened  an  unsatisfied  desire 
in  man  to  know  of  them.  First, 
in  ignorance,  superstition  held  a 
terrifying  fear  that  some  destruc- 
tion might  come  to  mankind  through 
the  starht  heavens.  Ignorance  al- 
ways fears  destruction  because  there 
is  no  life  to  sustain  it.  As  scientific 
reasoning  brings  forth  a  bright  light, 
ignorance  with  its  fears  disappears, 
and  science  asserts  itself. 

While  China  has  discarded  many 
of  her  more  marked  superstitions, 
she  steadfastly  clings  to  many  ancient 
customs.  Although  her  more  pro- 
gressive people  adhere  to  these  su- 
perstitions in  ceremony,  they  do 
not  in  conviction.  Superstition  is 
a  phase  of  this  mortal  living  and 


AN      ANCIENT      CUSTOM       43 

in  degree  taints  the  whole  human 
family.  We  can,  if  willing,  trace 
it  in  some  form  through  our  own 
characters;  and  then,  if  willing,  we 
can  eradicate  it. 


TOWER,  LAO  HU,  AND  MOI  YU 


T 


HE  first  imperial  Chinese  pug 
we  brought  home  from  China  was 
named  Tower,  and  the  little  fellow 
had  a  history.  After  the  siege  of 
Peking  was  raised,  a  Russian  officer 
took  from  his  pocket  and  gave  to 
my  daughter  a  mite  of  a  dog,  saying: 
"I  found  this  small  fellow  in  the 
Empress  Dowager's  private  room, 
almost  starved.  The  court  had  left 
him  when  it  fled.  He  was,  however, 
very  active  and  literally  refused  to 
be  captured.  I  will  present  him  to 
you  with  my  compliments."  The 
Chinese  boys  cleaned  him  up,  petted 
him,  and  assured  him  that  he  was 
in  a  good  home.  His  fear  was  de- 
stroyed, and  he  soon  became  very 
fond  of  his  new  mistress  and  ruled 
the  household.  He  was  bright  and 
became  an  educated  dog  in  foreign 
ways,  learned  to  have  many  wants, 
and  never  hesitated  to  let  us  know 
them.     He  did  not  like  to  be  alone. 


•c   c 


•  c  «   « 


c  c 


LAO      HU      AND      MOI      YU       45 

When  he  was  sleepy  and  wished  to 
go  to  bed,  he  would  sit  up  and 
with  a  pleading  low  voice  ask  for  his 
basket.  If  not  brought  at  once,  with 
his  teeth  he  would  get  it  himself, 
jump  into  it,  and  go  to  sleep.  We 
brought  him  home  to  America  and 
the  first  day  on  the  train  he  was 
almost  wild  with  fear.  I  took  the 
little  trembling  baby  in  my  arms, 
and  with  his  eyes  looking  into  mine 
I  talked  gently  and  kindly  to  him. 
He  was  all  right  until  night;  then 
he  jumped  out  of  the  basket  and  onto 
my  bed.  I  said,  "Yes,  Tower,  come, 
you  may  stay  with  me."  He  cud- 
dled close  to  me;  I  covered  him  all 
over,  and  in  peace  and  quiet  he  slept 
all  night  and  was  afraid  no  more 
during  our  journey. 

These  imperial  dogs  are  quick  to 
learn.  They  look  right  at  you  when 
you  are  talking  to  them  and  catch 
your  meaning.  I  have  had  six  of 
these  Chinese  imperial  pugs  and 
brought  three  of  them  to  America. 
I  find  they  manifest  many  good 
qualities  of  the  Chinese  character. 
The   Chinese   will   watch   you    and 


46  OLDCHINA 

listen  and  catch  your  meaning,  al- 
though they  do  not  know  a  word  of 
your  language.  The  character  of 
an  animal  is  modified,  strengthened, 
or  weakened  by  the  character- 
atmosphere  it  breathes. 

These  small  pugs  are  house  dogs 
and  they  become  companions.  I 
must  tell  you  about  Lao  Hu.  Every- 
body loves  him,  for  he  makes  himself 
lovable.  He  marches  up  to  people, 
wagging  his  plumy  tail  as  much  as 
to  say,  "How  do  you  do?"  and 
people  gladly  respond  to  him. 

These  pets  are  privileged  char- 
acters and  are  allowed  to  occupy 
upholstered  chairs  and  sofas.  Lao 
Hu  had  a  companion  who  often 
wanted  the  chair  that  he  was  in. 
She  would  go  to  him  and  sit  up,  and 
he  would  at  once  get  down  and  take 
another  chair.  I  generally  bathed 
my  three  dogs  the  same  night  and 
Lao  Hu  always  first.  One  night  I 
decided  to  bathe  the  two  blacks 
and  not  him.  When  I  started  to 
get  ready  for  the  task,  Lao  Hu  came 
jumping  and  dancing  about  me.  I 
did  not   think  to  tell  him  my  plans 


LAO      HU      AND      MOI      YU      47 

and  picked  up  Shea  and  took  him 
away.  Lao  Hu,  disappointed,  went 
into  a  room  which  he  does  not  fre- 
quent. When  I  returned,  he  came 
again  dancing  about  me,  with  his 
big  white  tail  waving  in  the  air. 
Then  I  said:  "iVo,  Lao  Hu,  I  am  not 
going  to  bathe  you  tonight.  Come, 
jump  into  your  bed  and  go  to 
sleep."  He  did  this  and  was  satis- 
fied. Why  did  I  not  think  to  tell 
him  my  plans  at  first? 

I  have  four  bells,  —  front  door, 
maid's,  telephone,  and  table  bell. 
These  are  all  in  the  back  hall  and 
kitchen.  When  the  door  bell  rings, 
the  dogs  will'  give  a  bark  and  come 
to  me  as  if  to  tell  me  about  it. 
When  the  maid's  bell  rings,  they  will 
rush  for  the  kitchen;  when  the 
telephone  and  table  bells  ring,  they 
never  notice  them.  They  follow 
me  upstairs  and  down  until  I  put 
on  my  hat,  then  they  do  not  notice 
me  but  shut  their  eyes  in  sleep.  I 
never  take  them  driving,  as  I  do  not 
wish  to  lessen  their  home  joys. 

Lao  Hu  will  come  and  gaze  in- 
tently at  me  until  he  gains  my  atten- 


48  OLDCHINA 

tion,  then  he  wags  his  tail  and  I 
say:  "What  is  it,  Lao  Hu?  Do  you 
want  to  go  outdoors?  want  water? 
want  my  dress  to  lie  upon?  Do  you 
want  to  get  in  my  lap?"  When  I 
ask  the  right  thing,  he  will  grunt  a 
little  "Yes,"  and  his  want  will  be 
granted. 

My  three  pet  dogs  love  affection 
and  attention,  and  they  come  many 
times  a  day  for  a  little  love  mani- 
fested. If  I  am  obliged  to  repri- 
mand one,  the  others  will  stand  back 
until  I  forgive  and  make  up  with  the 
one  reprimanded;  then  they  will  all 
dance  about  me  in  great  glee.  They 
have  appreciative  natures  and  are 
intensely  loyal  to  their  friends,  and 
with  a  Chinese  memory  they  never 
forget  them.  Moi  Yu's  master  had 
not  seen  her  for  two  years.  He 
entered  the  home  where  she  was 
staying,  and  while  he  was  waiting 
to  be  received,  two  little  dogs  came 
barking  down  the  stairs  and  placing 
their  little  black  heads  against  the 
bannister,  peeped  through.  Moi 
Yu's  master  recognized  one  Httle 
face   and   said:    "Why,   Moi  Yu!" 


LAO      HU      AND      MOI      YU      49 

That  was  enough.  Down  she  went 
and  leaped  upon  him  with  cries  of 
joy  that  were  pitiful,  and  would  not 
leave  him  for  a  moment  during  his 
stay.  Three  years  passed  and  she 
came  to  her  mistress.  At  the  meet- 
ing she  was  almost  wild  and  it 
seemed  that  her  little  heart  would 
burst  with  joy. 


SHERZA  AND  LAO  HU 

vJNE  bright  day  in  Peking,  a 
yellow  card  was  brought  to  me.  I 
knew  at  once  that  it  was  from 
the  Imperial  Palace.  Two  court 
eunuchs  and  a  mounted  escort  fol- 
lowed this  card.  One  eunuch  was 
carrying  a  pretty  flat  basket,  and 
lying  in  this  basket,  upon  a  red 
satin  pad,  was  a  small  black  puppy 
from  the  palace  kennels.  She  was 
like  a  httle  puff'ball.  Her  imperial 
trappings  of  harness  and  ornaments 
were  wonderful.  Around  this  little 
one's  neck  was  a  yellow  silk  collar 
with  gold  bells  and  upright  tassels; 
about  her  body  was  a  harness  of 
heavy  yellow  silk  braid  fastened 
with  gold  buckles;  at  the  back  of 
this  harness  was  a  gold  ornament 
and  to  this  ornament  was  attached 
a  very  heavy  yellow  cord  with  a  gold 
hook  at  its  end  to  fasten  to  my  belt 
when  taking  the  little  one  walking. 


"Sherza's"  Rival  — Baby  "  Lao  Hu 


SHERZA      AND      LAO      HU      $1 

Fastened  to  the  collar  was  a  slip 
of  yellow  silk  bearing  my  little 
pet's  name.  In  my  great  surprise 
and  delight,  what  could  I  say?  The 
Httle  one  looked  right  into  my  face 
with  her  big,  round,  black  eyes, 
without  one  thought  of  fear.  I 
said  "Sherza"  and  stroked  her, 
and  we  were  friends.  She  was  a 
gift  from  Her  Imperial  Majesty,  the 
Empress  Dowager  of  China,  and 
came  in  royal  style. 

I  had  long  wanted  one  of  these 
Peking  pugs  but  had  not  been  able 
to  find  one  in  all  the  city.  They 
are  strictly  for  the  palace  kennels, 
and  only  gifts  or  stray  or  stolen 
ones  get  outside.  These  pets  are 
bright  and  can  be  taught  all  sorts 
of  tricks.  They  mind  readily  and 
are  sensitive  to  tone  of  voice  or 
manner  toward  them.  They  love 
to  be  loved. 

This  little  one  became  a  real 
member  of  our  family  and  in  mute 
language  conversed  with  us.  She 
knew  what  we  said  and  responded 
to  it. 

Months    after    her    coming,    the 


52  OLDCHINA 

Empress  Dowager  sent  another  baby 
dog  to  me.  He  was  auburn  and 
white.  He  brought  his  name,  Lao 
Hu,  with  him  from  Her  Majesty. 
I  sat  upon  the  floor  with  baby  Lao 
Hu  in  my  lap  and  called  Sherza. 
She  came,  examined  the  little  fellow, 
then  stepped  back,  sat  down,  and 
looked  at  me.  I  talked  with  Sherza 
and  told  her  that  I  wanted  her  to 
help  me  care  for  this  newcomer 
into  our  home.  Without  remaining 
longer,  she  turned  her  back  on  us 
and  went  direct  to  her  master, 
jumped  into  his  lap,  and  cuddled 
close  to  him.  I  put  the  little  Lao  Hu 
aside  and  went  to  her.  She  climbed 
upon  her  master's  shoulder  with 
back  to  me.  I  faced  her  again,  but 
at  once  she  turned  her  back.  She 
resisted  my  touch.  I  reasoned  with 
her,  but  she  would  not  listen.  For 
three  days  she  would  receive  no 
attention  of  mine  nor  a  morsel  of 
food  from  my  hand.  She  clung 
closely  to  her  master.  It  was  pa- 
thetic, but  I  held  my  ground  that  it 
was  Lao  Hu's  home,  too,  and  that 
she  must  help  take  care  of  him.     The 


SHERZA      AND      LAO      HU      53 

third  day  jealousy  was  conquered, 
and  from  that  time  on  she  was  a 
careful  protector  and  happy  com- 
panion of  our  Lao  Hu. 

These  little  dogs  sat  up,  jumped 
through  hoops,  and  did  many  bright 
things.  I  am  going  to  tell  you  a 
sad  story  about  our  Sherza  with  a 
ray  of  light  shining  through  it. 

One  morning  I  saw  my  dear  little 
pet  lying  upon  the  floor  struggling. 
I  rang  the  bell,  then  quietly  took 
her  in  my  lap,  and  without  another 
struggle  she  breathed  her  last.  She 
seemed  to  have  been  poisoned. 

When  Wang  answered  the  bell  I 
burst  out  crying  and  said,  "Sherza 
has  left  us."  This  big  man  stood 
at  the  door  in  silence  looking  at  me 
and  finally,  in  tones  of  sympathy, 
asked,  "Shall  I  call  a  doctor?"  The 
absurdity  of  the  situation  brought 
me  to  my  senses  and  I  said:  "No, 
Wang,  that  would  do  no  good. 
You  get  me  a  nice  box  and  we  will 
line  it  and  place  her  in  it."  When 
he  returned,  he  brought  a  box, 
wadded  and  Hned  with  blue  silk. 
We  placed  Sherza  in  the  beautiful 


54  OLDCHINA 

bed  that  my  faithful  servant  had 
made  for  her.  Wang  screwed  the 
cover  on,  wrapped  the  box  in  brown 
paper;  and  tied  it  securely.  We 
chose  a  place  in  the  garden  to  bury 
her.  Wang  placed  another  box  over 
the  wrapped  one,  and  the  coolie 
filled  in  the  soil.  We  left  a  Httle 
mound  in  the  garden.  Later,  I 
passed  that  way  and  saw  flowers 
upon  the  mound.  I  stood  and  looked 
upon  those  flowers.  I  knelt  down 
and  petted  them,  for  I  knew  what 
kind  thought  for  me  had  placed 
them  there.  On  returning  to  my 
room,  I  cafled  Wang  and  asked: 
"Who  placed  those  beautiful  flowers 
upon  Sherza's  mound?"  He  said: 
"I  did,  Madam.  I  thought  Madam 
would  like  them  there." 

In  about  six  months  we  moved 
from  this  legation  to  our  temple 
legation.  After  the  last  of  our 
belongings  had  been  moved,  Wang 
came  to  me  and  said,  "  I  now  go  get 
Sherza."  I  had  not  thought  of 
moving  her,  but  I  said,  "Thank  you, 
Wang,  bring  her  here  and  we  will 
find  a  good  place  for  her."     Again 


SHERZA      AND      LAO      HU      55 

the  gentle  hand  of  the  Chinaman 
laid  her  away. 

Do  you  not  detect  the  ray  of  sun- 
shine through  this  sad  event?  The 
many  kind,  thoughtful  deeds  of  that 
big  Chinese  man  have  given  an 
increasing  helpful  influence  along 
my  pathway  even  to  this  day.  The 
Infinite  Good  and  Good's  reflection 
is  all  that  is  enduring,  and  this  Good 
reflected  in  our  thoughts  and  deeds 
is  afl  that  we  can  really  give  our 
feUow-men.  This  Good,  reflected 
through  us,  multiplies  and  multi- 
plies its  good  influence  along  the 
shores  of  time. 

The  quality  of  heart  and  mind 

is  portrayed  in  ideas  and 

actions. 


THINGS  TALK 

1  HINGS  are  akin  to  people.  If 
we  like  them  and  show  them  recogni- 
tion, they  with  an  individuahty  will 
work  with  us.  This  is  why  the 
Oriental  things  are  attractive.  They 
have  a  character  of  their  own  which 
seems  intelhgent,  and  when  we  sug- 
gest that  such  or  such  a  thing  goes 
in  a  certain  place,  it  often  objects 
and  tells  us  so.  If  we  listen  and  keep 
trying  until  it  is  pleased  with  its 
place  and  surroundings,  it  smiles  in 
gladness  and  reflects  that  gladness. 
All  things  are  thoughts  manifested, 
and  some  thoughts  are  in  Une,  and 
complement  one  another  in  harmony, 
while  others  reject  even  a  recogni- 
tion of  casual  acquaintance. 

My  beautiful  collection  of  intri- 
cate work  from  China,  Japan,  Corea, 
the  Phihppines,  Brazil,  and  other 
parts  of  North  and  South  America 
and  Europe,  is  not  loved  and  enjoyed 
because  of  its   money   or   material 


THINGS      TALK  57 

value.  I  keep  in  mind  the  thought 
value,  —  the  richness  of  thought  that 
was  able  to  manifest  them.  As  I 
comprehend  the  patient,  persever- 
ing, accurate,  loving  heart  work 
through  and  through  these  produc- 
tions, I  love  and  appreciate  them 
more  and  still  more.  Every  little 
detail  speaks  of  greatness.  They 
are  hke  the  little  grace  notes  in 
music,  which  add  character  to  the 
heavier  notes;  or  like  the  dainty 
touches  of  color  in  painting,  which 
add  life  and  action  to  the  picture; 
or,  again,  like  the  smallest  fraction 
which  adds  perfection  to  the  mathe- 
matical problem.  Yes,  I  love  these 
speaking  things,  in  detail  and  as  a 
whole,  that  tell  me  the  thoughts  of 
days  long  gone  by.  And,  too,  each 
one  has  a  little  heart  story,  telling 
how  it  came  to  me.  I  have  indulged 
and  rather  courted  the  idea  from  my 
early  childhood,  not  to  have  any- 
thing in  my  keeping  which  did  not 
bear  good-will,  or  that  would  remind 
me  of  any  unhappy  thought  con- 
nected with  it.  The  intrinsic  value 
of  my  treasures  is  little  in  comparison 


58  OLDCHINA 

to  the  bright,  loving  joy  song  which 
they  sing  in  a  harmonious  chorus. 
My  home,  filled  with  sweet  memories, 
is  a  living  joy  that  points  heaven- 
ward. 


CHINA'S  RELIGION 


Ti 


HE  religion  of  China  is  composed 
of  and  modified  by  Confucianism, 
Buddhism,  Taoism,  and  other  teach- 
ings. Individuals  and  nations  por- 
tray or  reflect  in  action  the  God 
they  truly  and  secretly  worship  in 
their  inmost  hearts.  Honesty  is  not 
a  traitor,  but  in  its  might  uncovers 
and  reveals  the  naked  truth. 

China's  great  period  of  literature 
was  between  1122  B.C.  and  249  B.C. 
Confucius  was  born  550  B.C.  He 
was  a  philosopher  and  scholar;  his 
writings  have  molded  the  lives  of 
more  people  than  any  other  writings 
in  recorded  history.  He  is  a  saint 
to  the  Chinese,  —  embodiment  of 
wisdom.  He  founded  no  religion, 
but  the  spirit  of  the  ever-living 
Christ  can  be  traced  through  his 
teachings.  In  every  home,  school, 
and  college  Confucius'  classics  are 
taught,  and  the  children  and  older 
people    must    commit    and    repeat 


6o  OLDCHINA 

them.  For  centuries  the  "Nine 
Classics"  formed  the  foundation  for 
Chinese  education,  religion,  philos- 
ophy, and  etiquette.  They  are  so 
positive  and  uplifting  that  they 
forged  an  empire  stronger  than 
steel.  These  classical  teachings, 
learned  and  practised,  have  upheld 
China  through  the  roaring  earth- 
quakes and  tumultuous  billows. 

There  is  a  large  temple  in  Peking 
builded  in  memory  of  this  great 
sage.  It  is  composed  of  many  build- 
ings and  courts.  The  whole  temple 
is  wonderfully  impressive  in  its  sol- 
emn grandeur.  In  the  finest  build- 
ing is  a  large  tablet  to  Confucius, 
before  which  the  Emperor  worships. 
There  are  also  tablets  to  his  closest 
followers.  The  many  memorials 
placed  in  walls  or  standing  alone 
and  in  open  courts  indicate  what 
reverence  China  holds  for  its  great 
benefactor.  Many  temples  are  built 
throughout  China  in  revered  memory 
of  Confucius,  but  none  was  builded 
in  his  memory  by  imperial  edict 
until  the  first  century  of  the  Christian 
era.     This  great  man  unselfishly  and 


china's    religion      6i 

devotedly  worked  out  and  gave  to 
China  a  code  for  living.  Through- 
out the  Empire  his  word  is  quoted 
as  law,  settling  controversies  for  all 
classes. 

The  respect  and  love  the  Chinese 
have  for  parents,  the  aged,  for 
children,  for  all  life,  animal  and 
vegetable,  have  been  planted  and 
fostered  through  the  lofty  teachings 
of  Confucius.  This  judicious  man 
emphasized  an  unfailing  loyalty 
to  every  vow.  A  missionary  illus- 
trated this  point:  A  man  of  many 
years  was  seen  measuring  his  length 
in  the  road.  He  would  lie  down, 
arise,  take  a  few  steps,  and  lie  down 
again.  This  he  repeated  time  after 
time.  The  missionary  inquired, 
"Why  this  penance?"  and  asked  the 
aged,  weary,  and  soil-stained  man  to 
ride  on  his  cart.  The  man  earnestly 
replied:  "I  cannot.  My  son  was 
very  ill  and  I  prayed  the  good  spirit 
to  spare  him  to  me.  He  was  all  I 
had.  I  made  a  solemn,  sacred  vow 
if  he  remained  with  me  and  his 
health  restored,  I  would  measure 
my  length  over  every  foot  of  the 


62  OLDCHINA 

fifty  miles  between  my  home  and 
my  ancestral  tombs.  He  did  get 
well  and  I  now  am  faithful  to  that 
vow." 

Again:  I  have  seen  large  trees 
in  temple  and  palace  grounds  tied 
and  propped  up  in  many  ways,  for 
**they  must  not  fall."  When  at  the 
Western  Hills,  in  our  summer  temple 
home,  a  large,  five-foot  snake  fell 
from  the  rolled  awning  above  our 
door  into  the  court.  I  rang  the 
bell  furiously  and  servants  came 
flocking  from  diff"erent  directions. 
When  they  saw  the  snake,  they 
halted  and  stood  silent.  The  first 
Mafoo  (stableman)  stepped  quietly 
forward,  gently  took  it  by  the  tail 
with  his  hand,  then  lifted  and  carried 
it  out  of  the  compound,  and  with  a 
slight  toss  dropped  it  in  the  ravine 
below.  Once  before,  when  in  the 
garden,  I  called  the  gardener  to 
come  and  kill  a  snake.  Instead  of 
inflicting  a  blow,  he  carefully,  with 
his  broom,  directed  it  to  a  hole  in 
the  wall.  I  did  not  understand  this 
consideration  given  to  reptiles  and 
asked  my  boy  Wang  why  they  were 


CHINA     S      RELIGION         63 

not  killedc  He  replied:  "Chinaman 
no  kill  snake,  Chinaman  good  to 
snake,  snake  good  to  Chinaman. 
Chinaman  kill  snake,  snake  kill 
Chinaman." 

It  is  a  conceded  Jact  that  there  is  an 

influence   going   out    with    every 

thought  and  act  and  on  its 

return  brings  blessings  or 

cursings. 


A    WONDERFUL    WOMAN 

THE  LATE  EMPRESS  DOWAGER 
OF  CHINA 


T 


HE  father  of  the  late  Empress 
Dowager  of  China  was  a  Manchu 
military  official  of  third  rank.  His 
post  was  not  a  lucrative  one,  and  at 
his  death  his  family  was  very  poor. 
He  left  a  wife  and  three  children,  — 
two  daughters  and  a  son.  The  eld- 
est was  the  late  Empress  Dowager, 
the  wife  of  Emperor  Hsien  Feng. 
The  second  daughter  married  Prince 
Ch'ung,  the  father  of  the  late  Em- 
peror Kwang  Hsu. 

As  customary  and  mandatory  with 
the  Chinese  and  Manchus  the  re- 
mains of  this  deceased  official  were 
taken  to  his  place  of  birth  for  burial. 
The  bereaved  mother  hired  a  boat 
to  take  her  husband's  remains,  her- 
self, and  children  down  the  Yangtze. 
The  boat  anchored  at  Hankow;  and 
as  the  family  was  so  destitute,  it 
seemed  impossible  for  them  ever  to 


■    J^  if 


Her   Imperial   Majesty,  the   Late   Empress 
Dowager  of  China 


c 


^'c 


c    c     c  c  t    * 


A      WONDERFUL      WOMAN       6$ 

reach  Peking.  There  were  many 
boats  in  the  harbor  at  Hankow; 
and  after  this  boat  had  been  detained 
several  days,  a  mistake  was  made 
which  proved  to  be  a  blessing  to 
this  family  in  their  sorrow  and 
troubles. 

Wu-tang,  the  magistrate  who  held 
jurisdiction  over  Hankow,  wishing 
to  show  honor  to  an  official  on  his 
way  to  Peking,  sent  a  feast  and  two 
hundred  taels  as  a  gift.  The  ser- 
vants in  charge  of  these  gifts  carried 
them  to  the  wrong  boat,  which  was 
also  on  its  way  to  Peking,  and  de- 
livered them  to  the  widow.  The 
magistrate's  card  and  the  offerings 
were  overwhelming  in  the  hour  of 
utmost  need;  but  supposing  that 
Wu-tang  was  a  friend  of  her  deceased 
husband,  the  sorrowing  woman  in 
gratitude  stepped  forward  in  sight 
to  thank  the  servants,  saying  that 
she,  a  woman,  could  not  go  ashore 
to  thank  the  magistrate  who  had 
so  greatly  honored  and  bountifully 
blessed  her;  and  requested  that  His 
Honor  come  on  board  her  boat, 
that  she  might  thank  him.     When 


66  OLDCHINA 

the  servants  in  charge  of  the  gifts 
returned  to  the  Yamen  and  told 
Wu-tang  what  they  had  done,  he 
was  furious.  He  did  not  know  this 
man  nor  had  he  ever  heard  of  him, 
and  lamented  over  "good  money 
wasted." 

The  servants  in  dismay  went  to 
the  Chinese  legal  adviser,  whose 
opinion  is  always  respected  at  the 
Yamen,  and  begged  him  to  intercede 
with  their  master  to  desist  from  in- 
flicting punishment,  for  it  was  purely 
a  mistake.  The  adviser  did  inter- 
cede in  the  servants'  behalf.  He 
went  to  see  the  magistrate  and  sug- 
gested to  him,  as  the  gifts  had 
already  been  presented,  it  seemed 
best  for  him  to  make  a  personal 
call  and  pay  his  respects  to  the  dead. 
In  this  way  he  would  get  out  of  the 
dilemma  gracefully.  The  next  day 
Wu-tang  in  his  official  dress  and 
black  outer  garment  visited  the  boat, 
sent  in  his  card,  and  made  his  obei- 
sance to  the  remains.  The  widow 
prostrated  herself  before  him  in 
gratitude.  He  gave  her  to  under- 
stand  that   he   knew   her   husband 


A      WONDERFUL      WOMAN      67 

and  this  was  a  slight  offering  given 
in  his  memory.  She  kowtowed  and 
said,  "I  never  can  repay  you,  but 
I  will  give  to  you  my  oldest  daughter 
Chao  as  your  god-daughter."  This 
is  an  honor  Chinese  bestow  upon 
benefactors.  The  eldest  daughter 
was  presented  and  kowtowed  to 
Wu-tang  and  called  him  her  god- 
father. He  returned  the  salutation 
and  called  her  his  god-daughter. 
He  perceived  this  was  the  only  way 
to  comfort  the  sorrowing  woman  in 
her  great  desire  to  pay  him  for  the 
respect  he  showed  her  dead  husband 
and  the  help  he  had  given  her  in 
time  of  need. 

Years  passed  and  the  instance  was 
forgotten  by  Wu-tang. 

This  official  was  never  noted 
for  his  diligent,  industrious,  whole- 
hearted work;  and  yet  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  office  of  Sub-Prefect 
of  Kansu  Province.  The  Viceroy, 
who  was  an  able,  up-and-doing 
man,  memorialized  the  Throne,  to 
denounce  him  as  unfit  for  the  post 
and  praying  that  he  be  removed 
from  service.     When  read,  Wu-tang 


68  O  L  D     C  H  I  N  A 

was  a  familiar  name,  and  a  decree  was 
issued  that  Wu-tang  be  promoted 
to  the  post  of  Prefect.  Thinking 
there  must  be  a  misunderstanding  as 
to  his  former  memorial,  the  Viceroy 
reiterated  the  charges  to  the  Throne. 
In  reply  a  second  decree  came,  mak- 
ing Wu-tang  Taotai,  —  a  step  still 
higher.  This  was  a  severe  blow  to 
the  Viceroy.  He  sent  for  the  offen- 
sive man  and  asked  if  he  had  "ever 
known  the  Empress  Dowager  per- 
sonally." He  repHed  that  he  had 
"never  had  the  honor."  He  again 
questioned,  "Have  you  any  secret 
influence  at  Peking  to  work  in  your 
behalf."  The  reply  was  full  and 
earnest:  "No,  I  have  no  friend  in 
Peking  and  no  official  acquaintance." 
In  a  third  memorial  the  Viceroy  re- 
quested the  Throne  to  order  Wu-tang 
to  Peking  for  an  audience,  that  they 
might  see  for  themselves  what  an  in- 
significant, worthless  fellow  they  had 
promoted  to  these  high,  responsible 
posts.  The  highly  appointed  official 
proceeded  to  Peking ;  and  with  bowed 
head  humbly  knelt  before  the  throne. 
The  Empress  Dowager  inquired  into 


A      WONDERFUL      WOMAN      69 

his  past  record,  then  told  him  to 
raise  his  head  and  look  at  her. 

Wu-tang  obeyed  her  command 
and  beheld,  sitting  on  the  throne, 
the  identical  young  girl  who  knelt 
before  him  and  called  him  god-father 
thirty  years  before. 

In  his  overwhelming  surprise,  lan- 
guage had  no  words,  and  in  devout 
reverence  he  bowed  low  before  her. 
And  this  woman  was  the  great  Em- 
press Dowager  of  China,  whose 
name  history  will  steadfastly  preserve 
through  time.  What  Her  Majesty 
said  from  the  fulness  of  her  mind 
and  heart  is  a  secret  from  the  world. 
But  her  words  had  power  in  them,  for 
Wu-tang  returned  to  his  post  and  with 
an  awakened  latent  vigor  diligently 
worked  for  the  good  he  could  do; 
and  in  honor  laid  down  this  world's 
toils  with  the  insignia  Viceroy  upon 
his  name. 

This  story  of  Her  Imperial  Majesty 
the  late  Empress  Dowager  of  China, 
portrays  a  depth  of  character  that 
he  ■  who  looks  can  perceive,  who 
Listens  can  hear  its  melody,  who 
feels  can  know  its  warmth. 


70  OLDCHINA 

After  reaching  Peking,  little  Chao 
was  taken  a  concubine  into  the 
palace.  She  had  been  educated  only 
in  the  lower  or  simple  classics  for 
girls  and  the  "Filial  Piety  Classic," 
teaching  obedience  to  those  above 
them  in  authority.  The  Emperor 
Hsien  Feng's  eye  was  upon  her  and 
detected  her  great  desire  to  learn. 
The  educated  eunuch  teachers  of 
the  imperial  harem  were  more  than 
pleased  with  this  attractive,  bright 
girl,  who  was  ambitious  for  the 
education  they  could  give  her.  Her 
comprehension  was  acute,  and  she 
learned  from  observation  of  all  about 
her.  Devotion  to  her  studies  and 
what  they  were  doing  for  her  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  the  young 
Empress  and,  later,  the  afiFection  of 
the  Emperor.  She  was  chosen  his 
first  secondary  wife.  These  two 
women  became  heart  friends  and 
remained  thus  as  long  as  they  both 
lived.  This  secondary  wife  bore  to 
the  Emperor  his  only  son  who  died 
in  youth.  Ere  long  she  was  raised 
to  the  honors  of  wife  and  given  the 
title  of  *' Western  Empress,"  as  the 


A      WONDERFUL      WOMAN      71 

first  wife  was  "Eastern  Empress." 
From  that  date,  the  two  women  were 
equal  in  rank  and  in  power  before 
the  world.  No  envy,  jealousy,  or 
enmity  tarnished  their  lives  with  one 
another.  One  desired  ease  and  com- 
fort, while  the  other  courted  the 
events  that  aroused  to  action  the 
abihty  to  cope  with  the  questions  of 
stated  China  was  under  a  cloud 
of  war  at  the  death  of  Emperor 
Hsien  Feng,  and  Prince  Kung,  his 
brother,  became  adviser  to  the  East- 
ern and  Western  Empress  Dowagers 
who,  notwithstanding  their  bereave- 
ment, took  the  reign  of  the  Empire. 
Darkest  clouds  that  ever  threatened 
any  nation  have  gathered  during 
the  forty-two  years'  reign  of  the 
late  Empress  Dowager.  Trials  at 
home  have  been  appalling,  but  the 
aggressive  foreigner  has  gathered 
the  darkest  clouds  over  China  and 
provoked  her  to  atrocities  unworthy 
of  her  better  judgment. 

It  became  evident  that  Her 
Majesty  realized  more  than  any  of 
her  predecessors  that  China  must 
arouse   herself  to   the   demands   of 


72  OLDCHINA 

Other  nations  if  she  would  stand 
abreast  with  them,  and  not  be  de- 
voured. One  of  Her  Majesty's  chief 
characteristics  as  a  ruler  has  been 
her  marked  ability  to  choose  strong 
statesmen,  the  wisest  advisers  and 
safest  leaders  from  among  her  most 
efficient  officers,  both  conservative 
and  progressive. 

This  woman,  —  this  ruler  of  the 
great  Chinese  Empire  for  forty-two 
years  I  have  met  many  times  and 
felt  the  touch  of  her  gentle  hand  and 
listened  to  the  mellow  tones  of  her 
voice  and  gained  her  friendship. 
Many  treasures  in  my  memory  and 
my  keeping  tell  me  that  she  was  my 
friend. 

Values    are    in    thoughts.     We   feel 

thoughts,  —  some  are  mellow,  some 

are  hard.     Everything  reflects  its 

own   character.     It  cannot  be 

otherwise.  Love  is  the  Mighty 

Power  and  all  creation  Jeels 

its    gentle     touch     and 

peacefully    yields    to 

its  influence. 


s 


CHINA'S  STRENGTH 


INCE  the  troubles  of  1900 
China's  pulse  has  increased  in  vigor, 
without  fever  heat,  to  a  healthy 
action  that  forces  her  on  into  fields 
unknown  before.  The  last  private 
audience  given  me  by  Her  Imperial 
Majesty,  the  late  Empress  Dowager, 
revealed  more  than  at  any  other 
time  Her  Majesty's  eager  thought 
for  a  broader  activity  in  her  people. 
Our  conversation  was  long  and 
earnest,  —  mostly  of  China  and 
America.  Other  nations  have  their 
individualities,  but  by  a  constant 
contact  with  sister-nations  these 
individualities  are  tuned  into  com- 
parative harmony.  If  China  wishes 
to  be  in  accord  with  this  universal 
chorus,  she  will  have  to  think  it  out 
in  her  own  way.  May  China's  rulers 
and  her  subjects  stand  as  a  unit 
and  all  work  together  for  the  estab- 
lishment and  preservation  of  their 
new  repubhc.     Their  innate  positive- 


74  OLDCHINA 

ness  and  tireless  activity  will  arouse 
slumbering  strength,  unknown  to 
other  nations  and  unknown  to  them- 
selves. 

The  downfall  of  the  empire  and 
the  rise  of  the  republic  will  bring 
their  changes,  but  China  has  not 
fallen.  The  quality  of  her  heart 
and  mind  sustains  her.  Her  situa- 
tion is  appalling,  but  her  sturdy, 
quiet  activity  will  bring  her  out  of 
her  dilemma.  As  new  necessities 
present  themselves  to  the  progres- 
sive Chinese,  steps  are  taken  to 
'meet  the  demands  of  these  necessi- 
ties. Commissioners  are  equipped 
with  plans  and  sent  out  to  gather 
information  needed  to  vitalize  their 
republic.  They  work  quietly,  but 
with  a  steadfastness  that  keeps  them 
moving. 

There  are  thirteen  legations  in 
Peking,  and  each  is  within  a  walled 
compound.  These  thirteen  legations, 
representing  the  foreign  countries,  are 
at  peace  with  China.  The  uprising 
of  1911-1912  was  not  against  the 
foreigner,  but  an  internal  revolution 
to  overthrow  the  Manchu  dynasty. 


Ching  Chun  Wang 
An  Untiring  Worker  for  his  Country 


c  e    •   -e 
c     •   »  "e 


•  c    t 


<-  c 


e 
«  « 


china's      strength       75 

The  indemnity  fund  that  China 
awarded  the  United  States  in  1901, 
the  United  States  gave  back  to  China, 
and  she  is  using  this  fund  for  the 
education  of  her  boys  and  girls 
abroad.  A  large  per  cent  of  those 
sent  to  America  to  be  educated  are 
those  who  have  attended  American 
mission  schools  and  colleges  in  China. 
These  are  mostly  Chinese  and  not 
Manchus.  This  mission  education 
gives  the  Chinese  students  a  knowl- 
edge, although  limited,  of  the  Eng- 
lish language,  and  of  foreign  schools 
and  customs. 

Since  1900,  great  changes  have 
taken  place  in  Peking,  and  in  many 
ways  the  city  is  becoming  foreignized. 
Railroads  are  making  their  way  in- 
land. A  trip  to  the  Great  Wall  of 
China  is  no  longer  a  toilsome  one, 
but  its  picturesque  features  are  gone, 
never  to  return. 

The  new  China,  with  the  qualities 
of  the  old  China,  invigorated  by 
good  qualities  of  the  younger  nations, 
is  marching  steadily  forward  at  a 
rapid  pace.  The  Empire  was  builded 
upon  stability  and  it  has  proven  her 


76  OLDCHINA 

to  be  almost  impregnable.  She  stood 
upon  her  own  ground  and  worked 
out  her  knotty  problems.  Her  whole 
system,  political,  social,  and  financial, 
was  a  wheel  within  a  wheel,  with  such 
accurately  adjusted  cogs  that  the 
whole  country  kept  going  with  clock- 
like precision.  China  has  received 
ruthless  piercings  from  the  con- 
stant peckings  of  the  foreigner  with 
his  so-called  progressive  ideas.  It 
may  be  that  this  pecking  was  the 
only  thing  that  could  arouse  her 
and  make  her  show  her  mettle. 

China's  coming  generations  will 
have  mighty  battles  to  fight  and  in- 
tricate problems  to  solve.  But  they 
can  do  it  all.  This  people  has  a 
stored  power,  born  of  patience  and 
nurtured  by  steadfastness,  endu- 
rance, and  love  for  native  land ;  and 
this  power  will  show  itself  and  con- 
quer. 

May  China  so  adjust  herself  as 
to  walk  with  equal  honors  in  the 
great  sisterhood  of  nations.  Step 
by  step  this  old  empire  —  new 
republic  —  is  marching  forward. 
Not  only  do  men  join  hands,   but 


china's      strength        77 

men  and  women  unite  in  equal 
suffrage  to  battle  in  the  progressive 
struggle  for  their  new  republic. 

May  China's  new  flag  with  its 
five  stripes  unfurl  its  folds  and  wave 
protection  and  progress  to  its  five 
dependencies  and  its  millions  of 
peoples!  May  men  and  women 
hand  in  hand  step  together  in  formu- 
lating and  building  a  new,  a  true 
republic. 


YUAN-SHIH-K'AI 


Yi 


UAN-SHIH-K'AI  did  not  enter 
official  life  in  the  usual  Chinese 
manner,  by  the  narrow  door  of  the 
examination  halls.  His  honorable 
father  opened  a  wider  door  for  him- 
self and  son  through  their  ability 
and  favor  at  court.  The  old  adage, 
"Blood  will  tell,"  proves  true  in 
this  case,  for  the  son  has  shown  far 
more  conspicuous  abihty  than  the 
father.  He  rose  in  the  sight  and 
confidence  of  the  court,  of  Chinese 
officials,  and  the  people,  through 
manifested  wisdom,  judgment,  and 
untiring  activity.  A  growing  force- 
ful character  was  continually  reveal- 
ing itself  in  a  stronger  hght.  He 
was  born  in  the  Province  of  Honan, 
in  the  heart  of  China,  and  was  a 
protege  of  Jung-Iu,  who  held  great 
favor  at  court,  and  through  his 
influence  Yuan-Shih-K'ai  advanced 
in  his  high  official  career.  He  was 
appointed    to   posts    of    great    re- 


General  Yuan-Shih-K'ai 
First  President  of  China 


yuan-shih-k'ai         79 

sponsibilities,  to  settle  difficulties, 
and  brought  to  the  throne  victory's 
laurels. 

In  September,  1898,  he  was  sum- 
moned to  a  midnight  audience  to 
arrange  a  plan  of  placing  the  Em- 
press Dowager  under  guard  and 
removing  Jung-Iu  to  the  spirit  world. 
He  appeared  to  acquiesce  in  the 
plans  of  His  Imperial  Majesty. 
Evidently  he  did  not  have  confi- 
dence in  the  visionary  advisers  whom 
the  Emperor  had  chosen.  Yuan 
hastened  back  to  Tientsin  and  to 
his  camp  without  waiting  for  the 
death  warrant.  It  followed  next 
morning  by  T'ang,  who  was  ordered 
to  see  it  executed  and  on  no  account 
lose  sight  of  Yuan-Shih-K'ai.  If 
Yuan  hesitated  to  carry  out  his 
orders,  T'ang  was  to  do  it  himself. 
But  Yuan-Shih-K'ai  took  the  green 
arrow  and  the  death  warrant  on 
the  yellow  satin  and  went  with 
T'ang  to  Jung-Iu's  Yamen;  stationed 
T'ang  at  the  front  gate  with  orders 
to  prevent  at  any  cost  Jung-Iu's 
escape;  and  he  himself  went  inside 
and    disclosed    the    whole    plan    to 


8o  OLDCHINA 

Jung-Iu  who  fled  through  a  rear  gate, 
secured  an  engine,  and  hastened 
to  Peking,  where  he  warned  the 
Empress  Dowager  and  brought 
about  the  coup  d'etat  which  re- 
sulted in  the  confinement  of  the 
Emperor  on  the  island  in  the  For- 
bidden City  and  the  sending  of 
his  ill-timed  advisers  into  exile  or 
to  the  execution  grounds. 

T'ang  became  anxious  because 
Yuan-Shih-K'ai  tarried  so  long  and 
was  about  to  enter  when  the  gate 
opened  and  Yuan  faced  him,  saying, 
"I  have  searched  everywhere  but 
am  unable  to  find  Jung-Iu."  T'ang 
hastened  to  inform  the  conspirators. 
K'ang  Yu-wei  and  Liang  Chih-Chiao 
escaped,  while  T'ang  met  his  death. 
An  edict  was  issued  by  the  im- 
prisoned Emperor  calling  the  Em- 
press Dowager  back  to  his  aid. 
Her  Majesty  resuming  reign,  the 
government  moved  on  without  ap- 
parent serious  difficulties,  and  Yuan- 
Shih-K'ai  was  promoted  from  time 
to  time  to  posts  of  greater  impor- 
tance. Yu-hsien,  the  ** Boxer"  advo- 
cate, was  a  notorious  trouble-maker. 


YU  A  N-S  H  I  H-k'a  I  8l 

He  was  the  inaugurator  of  the 
"Boxer"  uprising  against  the  for- 
eigners in  Shantung  and  Shanci 
which  finally  culminated  in  the  awful 
siege  of  Peking  in  1900.  Yuan-Shih- 
K'ai  hterally  refused  to  take  any  part 
in  this  movement  and  maintained 
peace  throughout  his  -province  dur- 
ing this  blood-thirsty  period.  All 
missionaries  and  foreigners  were 
safely  escorted  to  the  coast  from 
his  province.  After  the  siege  was 
raised,  this  brave,  judicious  man  was 
recognized  as  one  of  China's  strong- 
est supports  in  time  of  need,  and 
higher  honors  were  bestowed  upon 
him.  His  mother  died  in  1901,  and 
according  to  Chinese  custom  he 
should  have  retired  from  all  public 
service  for  twenty-seven  months. 
At  this  critical  period  the  govern- 
ment so  needed  his  services  that  he 
remained  on  duty.  After  the  death 
of  the  great  Li  Hung-Chang,  in  1901, 
he  was  appointed  Viceroy  of  the 
important  post  in  Chili.  In  Decem- 
ber of  the  same  year  he  was  honored 
with  the  title  of  "Junior  Guardian" 
of  the  heir  apparent,  and  in  January, 


82  O  L  D     C  H  I  N  A 

1902,  was  decorated  with  the  Yellow 
Jacket.  This  imperial  jacket  stands 
for  marked  honors,  and  this  honored 
man  wore  this  badge  as  the  court 
returned  to  Peking.  At  the  date 
of  the  court's  returning,  there  were 
still  eight  armies  of  eight  different 
nations  stationed  in  and  about 
China's  capital.  But  peace  and 
friendship  had  been  declared  be- 
tween the  nations  and  China,  and 
the  court,  in  perfect  safety,  marched 
in  its  imperial  array  through  the 
streets  and  on  into  the  Forbidden 
City.  Wonderful  doings !  A  wonder- 
ful age  permitting  them! 

China  was  in  distress.  Active 
and  efficient  workers  must  come 
to  her  rescue.  Where  were  they? 
Among  the  foremost  was  Yuan-Shih- 
K'ai.  On  January  20,  1902,  this 
official  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
Northern  Railway  and  during  the 
same  month  was  made  a  consulting 
member  of  the  newly  established 
commission  of  "Administrative  Re- 
form." The  following  year  he  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  com- 
mission for  the  "Reorganization  of 


Y  U  A  N-SH  I  H- k'a  I  83 

the  Army."  He  took  a  most  active 
part  in  preparing  the  new  army 
regulations  and  was  the  first  to 
organize  an  army  on  the  new  method. 
He  has  also  been  foremost  in  pro- 
moting the  new  educational  system. 
As  Viceroy  of  Chili  he  was  the 
Superintendent  of  Trade  for  all 
northern  China. 

Although  this  great  practical  man 
of  affairs  did  not  win  his  official  rank 
through  the  halls  of  learning,  he 
appears  to  great  advantage  when 
contrasted  with  scholarly  officials 
who  strive  to  rise  on  the  frail  honors 
of  scholarship  alone.  True  honors, 
with  living  strength,  come  from 
experience,  polished  bright  and  kept 
so  through  the  constant,  active  power 
within  a  man.  Scholarship  should 
open  the  door  wide  for  rich  experi- 
ences to  enter.  Then  together  they 
should  build  a  ladder,  stanch  and 
strong,  round  by  round,  for  coming 
generations  to  safely  cHmb.  Socially, 
Yuan-Shih-K'ai  is  gentlemanly  and 
entertaining  with  foreigners  and  por- 
trays that  innate  poHteness  common 
to  the  Chinese  people. 


84  OLDCHINA 

In  191 2  China  was  proclaimed  a 
republic.  While  the  government  was 
only  provisional,  one  of  China's 
strong  men,  Dr.  Sun  Yat-sen,  acted 
as  President.  But  Yuan-Shih-K'ai 
was  made  the  country's  first  Presi- 
dent. With  his  able  associates  of 
strong,  conscientious  thinkers  and 
doers  President  Yuan-Shih-K'ai  will 
breast  the  storms  of  a  new  republic 
and  show  to  the  world  the  inner, 
better  qualities  of  China  and  the 
Chinese  character. 


PART    II 


YOUNG    AMERICA 


PART  II 

It  is  Love  that  paints  the  life  scenes 
in  the  colorings  of  a  harmonious, 
living  glow,  —  and  it  is  the  Christ- 
band  that  reveals  this  glow.  All  na- 
tions, all  creeds,  all  peoples,  know  the 
word  ''Love'*  and  bow  to  it.  Each 
individual  in  the  fulness  of  his  own 
heart  bows  to  it,  —  bows  to  Love. 


LOVE'S  ALTAR 


I 


WAS  told  of  a  little  girl  who  was 
always  quietly  doing  those  things 
which  made  her  lovable,  hence  she 
had  many  warm  friends  who  loved 
her.  She  wore  a  bright  face,  was 
polite,  kind,  thoughtful,  and  patient. 
She  kept  tuning  her  young  heart 
more  and  more  to  the  key-note  of 
love  and  good-will.  As  she  grew 
older,  kindnesses  would  suggest 
themselves,  persuading  her  that  such 
and  such  an  act  would  lift  some 
one's  burden  or  brighten  a  darkened 
pathway.  She  never  tried  to  do 
big  things  for  people,  as  that  might 
make  the  one  whom  she  would  favor 
feel  under  obligations,  thus  bury- 
ing the  joy  she  would  give  in  the 
humihation  of  debt.  It  is  not  the 
intrinsic  value  of  a  gift  or  an  act 
that  blesses  most;  it  is  the  quality 
of  thought  back  of  it. 

This  girl  lived  in  Vermont  where 
flowers    were    rare    in    the    winter. 


88  YOUNG     AMERICA 

In  early  autumn  she  would  buy 
many  flower  bulbs  and  many  little 
flower  pots.  She  carefully  planted 
the  bulbs,  and  after  giving  them  a 
long  rest  in  the  dark,  placed  them 
in  the  sunshine.  She  cared  for  these 
little  growing  things,  watering  and 
turning  them  each  day  that  they 
might  grow  and  stand  upright.  A 
full  stalk  of  beautiful  blossoms 
proudly  stood  from  among  the  long 
green  leaves.  She  wrapped  the  pots 
with  colored  paper  and  tied  them 
with  ribbon.  With  happy  thoughts 
she  took  these  little  treasures  to  the 
aged,  sick,  sorrowing,  and  unfor- 
tunate ones  and  also  to  those  more 
favorably  situated.  Love  was  in 
her  heart,  from  her  first  conception 
of  this  gift  to  its  chmax. 

This  is  only  one  of  the  many 
loving  manifestations  showing  the 
quality  of  her  heart.  She  grew  into 
womanhood,  and  her  whole  life  was 
filled  with  love  and  good-will,  and 
through  her  they  were  reflected  to 
other  lives  in  choice  blessings. 

I  almost  worshiped  this  charming, 
rich  woman.     She  was  my  mother. 


Iove's   altar  89 

She  earnestly  and  prayerfully  urged 
upon  her  children  the  great  necessity 
for  keeping  the  holy  lamps  of  love, 
and  gratitude  for  the  good  they  could 
do,  ever  burning  on  the  altar  of 
their  hearts,  that  each  year  they 
might  increase  in  splendor. 

When  my  revered  mother  was  a 
child  in  the  twenties  of  eighteen 
hundred,  the  education  for  children, 
and  especially  for  girls,  was  far  from 
that  of  today.  In  connection  with 
their  book-learning,  and  above  it, 
needlework  held  the  highest  place 
of  honor.  The  younger  girls,  first 
upon  linen  cloth,  learned  to  make 
"samplers"  of  the  alphabet  and 
figures.  My  mother's  sampler  at 
fifty-three  years  was  in  good  pres- 
ervation. As  her  four  daughters 
could  not  each  own  this  treasure, 
our  mother  worked  upon  cardboard 
a  facsimile  of  the  sampler  with  a 
little  heart  poem  and  other  addi- 
tions. This  treasured  work  and  ex- 
pressed love  of  our  dear  mother 
hangs  in  my  room,  a  constant  re- 
minder of  her  tender  words  and 
untiring  activities  of  love.     Not  only 


90  YOUNG     AMERICA 

did  she  keep  the  lamp  burning  upon 
love's  altar  for  her  own  children, 
but  for  others.  The  young  people 
would  gather  joyfully  in  our  home, 
and  Mother  was  one  with  us  always. 
The  warmth  flowing  from  her  full 
heart  never  returned  to  her  void, 
but  with  an  overflowing  response. 

//  man  bad  the  microscopic  eye  oj  the 
bird  and  the  acute  ear  oj  the  deer,  he 
might  he  able  to  catch  more  oj  the 
dainty  colorings  and  the  sweet- 
est melodies  oj  Nature;   but 
ajter  all,  the  richest  capac- 
ity to  see  and  hear  is  in 
the  heart  and  mind, 
and  the  capacity  oj 
perception  covers 
it  alL 

There  are  those  who  live  more  through 
this  perception  than  the  micro- 
scopic  eye  or  the  acute   ear 
could  give. 


THE  HOME 


E 


NLIGHTENMENT  of  women 
lifts  the  standard  of  the  home. 

Education  for  home  making  is 
being  agitated  in  a  tender,  sober, 
logical  enthusiasm.  The  vitaHty  of 
the  home  originates  in  the  heart's 
affections  and  its  propulsion  is  aug- 
mented by  the  light-giving,  warm 
flames  burning  upon  the  heart's 
altar.  The  home  should  be  the 
center  of  the  afi'ections,  but  not  the 
boundary.  The  purer  and  more 
unselfish  the  love  is  which  blazes 
upon  this  home  altar,  the  better  is 
the  glow  reflected  upon  all  within 
its  radius,  and  this  radius,  great  or 
small,  has  a  lasting  influence.  It 
affects  the  atmosphere  of  the  com- 
munity, and  not  only  this,  but  its 
light  is  reflected  beyond  to  the 
State,  from  the  State  to  the  na- 
tion, and  from  the  nation  to  the 
whole  world.  Every  home  is  a  unit, 
and  its  influence,  whether  it  stands 


92  YOUNG     AMERICA 

for  light  or  darkness,  helps  to  modify 
the  whole. 

Bow  at  the  shrine  oj  Love.     It  tills 

and  nourishes  the  soil  oj  good-will 

toward  our  jellow-man. 


THE  KINDERGARTEN 


Ai 


S  I  entered  the  home  of  my 
niece  I  saw  my  little  five-year-old 
grandniece  sitting  upon  a  stool 
with  a  little  work  basket  by  her  side. 
She  had  a  stocking  in  her  hand,  and 
I  asked,  **What  is  my  Lillian  doing?" 
She  replied,  **  I  am  darning  my  stock- 
ings." "Darning  your  stockings! 
Who  taught  you?"  She  answered, 
"  I  learned  at  kindergarten."  I  took 
her  work,  and  sure  enough,  she  had 
woven  a  mat  with  darning  cotton 
in  the  hole  of  her  stocking.  She 
was  making  practical  use  of  her 
kindergarten  mat  weaving. 

Again,  as  I  walked  along  the 
street  I  noticed  in  a  vacant  lot  a 
little  girl  alone,  dihgently  seeking 
something.  I  paused  and  asked, 
"Has  my  little  one  lost  anything? 
Can  I  help  you?"  She  happily 
replied,  "Oh,  no,  thank  you.  I  am 
looking  for  parallel  vein  leaves  to 
take   to   kindergarten."      In  aston- 


94  YOUNG     AMERICA 

ishment  I  asked  to  see  her  leaves. 
Sure  enough,  there  they  were.  Then 
I  said,  "Why  do  you  call  them 
parallel  veins?''  She  showed  me 
how  they  ran  side  by  side.  I  asked 
if  there  were  any  other  kind  of 
leaves.  With  an  earnest  "Oh,  yes," 
away  she  went  and  brought  me  a 
leaf,  saying,  "This  is  a  net  vein  leaf. 
Don't  you  see,  these  veins  make  a 
net?"  That  little  child  had  no 
playmate  with  her,  but  there  was 
a  dignified  joy  in  her  heart  and 
mind  that  she  portrayed  through  her 
kindergarten  studies.  The  young 
children  are  being  guided  more  and 
more  into  the  paths  of  knowledge 
and  usefulness.  Stern  duty  is  turned 
into  Si  joyous  seeking  for  something 
better  and  greater. 


A  TALK  WITH  FATHER 


W: 


E  cannot  afford  to  let  unjust 
rebukes  or  criticism  disturb  us  or 
rob  us  of  that  quality  of  thought 
that  holds  us  at  our  best.  All 
along  the  later  years  of  my  hfe 
my  dear  father's  words  of  years 
ago  have  come  to  me  with  increased 
force.  When  a  child,  if  I  would 
come  home  with  my  troubles  —  oh, 
so  big  then  —  my  father  would  call 
me  to  him,  take  me  on  his  knee, 
wipe  away  the  tears,  and  quietly 
say:  "Let  us  talk  it  all  over.  Re- 
member, my  dear  child,  if  you  are 
in  the  wrong,  you  will  have  to  suffer 
for  it,  and  you  should.  If  in  the 
right,  you  should  not  suffer."  He 
would  listen  to  my  song  of  wo; 
then  followed  the  finding  out  whether 
I  was  in  the  right  or  wrong.  If  I 
was  wrong,  in  his  persuasive  way 
he  would  make  me  see  it  and  cause 
me  to  feel  not  only  willing  but 
desirous  to  acknowledge  that  I  was 


96  YOUNG     AMERICA 

in  the  wrong.  If  he  thought  me  to 
be  in  the  right,  he  would  say:  "Do 
you  think  that  your  playmate  wished 
to  hurt  your  feelings?"  If  I  would 
say,  "Yes,  I  do,"  then  his  quiet 
question  would  come  back  to  me, 
"Are  you  going  to  let  him  accom- 
plish his  designs? ' '  A  positive  *  *  No ' ' 
would  invariably  be  the  answer  to 
that  question.  But  if,  when  he  would 
ask,  "Did  your  playmate  intend  to 
hurt  your  feelings?"  I  would  reply, 
"No,  I  do  not  think  he  did  intend 
to,  but  he  did  anyway,"  in  the  same 
forceful  manner  my  father  would 
say:  "Is  my  httle  daughter  going 
to  be  so  unjust  as  to  be  hurt  when 
it  was  not  intended?" 

Do  you  see  the  lesson?  Under 
no  circumstances  are  we  to  be  hurt 
except  when  in  the  wrong  and  then 
only  long  enough  to  repent  and  repair 
the  wrong. 


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OUR  SCHOOL-TEACHERS 


M' 


Y  little  daughter  said:  "Mother, 
may  I  take  some  of  these  beautiful 
roses  to  my  teacher,  Miss  Happy- 
line?"  We  picked  some  of  the 
choice  ones,  the  child  making  the 
selection.  Then  she  said:  "I  must 
find  a  bright,  pretty  bud,  not  in 
full  blossom,  with  stem  and  green 
leaves,  for  that  is  the  kind  she  pins 
on  her  waist  and  wears.  I  love 
to  look  at  her  sweet  smile  and  her 
pretty  dress,  and  the  rose  bud  makes 
me  so  happy  that  I  can  study 
better." 

Bless  the  dear  instructor  who 
inspired  my  little  daughter  with  such 
beautiful,  unselfish  thoughts  and 
love  for  her  teacher!  If  the  teach- 
ers only  knew  what  an  impression 
they  make  upon  the  young  heart 
—  a  lasting  influence  through  their 
personal  appearance  —  they  would 
always  wear  smiles,  give  gentle  tones 
to  their  language,  arrange  their  hair 


98  YOUNG     AMERICA 

becomingly,  and  wear  neat  and  at- 
tractive clothing.  Children  love  to 
be  proud  of  their  instructors  and 
carry  in  their  hearts  a  love  picture. 
I  heard  a  little  boy  say:  "My 
teacher  hasn't  as  pretty  a  face  as 
yours,  but  she  looks  all  right,  and 
she  is  always  kind  to  us  boys  and 
says  in  a  happy  way,  'How  do  you 
do.  Jack?'  *Good  morning,  Tom.* 
We  just  hke  to  do  to  please  her." 
Another  said:  "You  know  Miss 
Jones,  —  she  has  eyes  in  the  back 
of  her  head,  —  she  says  she  has. 
We  often  try  to  test  those  eyes  in 
the  back  of  her  head.  They  don't 
see  everything,  and  when  her  real 
eyes  catch  us  in  our  testing  they 
flash  at  us  and  we  are  afraid  of  their 
lightning."  Fear's  power  never  finds 
wilhng  obedience.  Love's  power 
finds  loving,  cheerful  obedience  with- 
out one  struggle. 


BEAUTY  AND  CULTURE 


A 


GENTLEMAN  once  said  to  me, 
in  sad  earnestness,  "I  have  made  a 
great  mistake  in  my  life  and  re- 
flected its  influence  upon  other 
lives.  There  were  two  sisters.  One 
was  plain  but  had  a  brilliant  mind, 
with  culture,  and  heart  full  of  ten- 
derness and  unselfishness.  I  loved 
her.  Her  sister  was  sparkling  with 
beauty  of  form  and  feature,  and 
I  lovingly  watched  the  dear  little 
humming-bird  as  she  happily  sipped 
honey  from  the  flowers  placed 
about  her.  I  spent  much  time 
with  these  sisters.  One  had  beauty 
for  the  heart  and  mind  to  feast 
upon,  the  other  beauty  for  the 
heart  and  eye.  I  talked  the  situa- 
tion over  with  the  elder  sister,  and 
she  said:  'There  is  no  question  in 
my  mind  which  your  heart  chooses. 
My  sister  is  your  choice.  Take  her 
and  continue  her  Hfe  in  happiness. 
I    could     under    no    circumstances 


100         YOUNG     AMERICA 

accept  you.  I  shall  choose  a  life- 
work,  and  wedded  to  it,  I  shall  be 
loyal  to  my  sacred  vow.'  She  was 
always  a  devoted  sister  through  our 
lives.  But  in  loyalty  to  her  vows 
she  rose  higher  and  still  higher  on 
the  roll  of  honor  and  went  deeper 
and  still  deeper  into  the  heart  of 
humanity. 

"While  I  strove  to  be  loyal  to  my 
vow  taken  at  the  altar,  I  tired  of 
that  beauty  which  my  heart  and 
eyes  feasted  upon,  and  I  longed  for 
more  in  my  dear  wife.  She  detected 
my  disappointment  and  her  beauty 
began  to  fade.  One  day  she  threw 
her  arms  about  my  neck  and  said: 
*Why  did  you  flatter  my  beauty 
and  encourage  my  self-pride?  If 
you  will  help  me  I  will  be  a  better 
woman,  a  better  companion.'  The 
struggle  was  a  long  and  hard  one, 
but  sincere  and  earnest.  The  vic- 
tory was  partially  won.  Her  per- 
sonal beauty  came  back  and  through 
it  shone  beauty  of  heart  and  mind, 
blessing  herself,  her  children,  hus- 
band, friends,  and  all  who  came 
under  her  influence." 


BEAUTY  —  CULTURE      lOI 

Cultured  people,  even  though  plain, 
are  often  like  a  rich  garment  without 
trimming  or  ornaments.  There  is 
a  quality  in  them  that  is  self-sustain- 
ing, and  their  stability  is  a  helpful 
joy.  Beauty  as  trimming  added  to 
this  quality  makes  them  a  greater 

joy. 

Again:  I  once  knew  two  sisters 
who  were  very  unHke.  One  day 
I  said  to  the  plain  sister:  "I  notice 
that  you  are  exceedingly  studious. 
You  study  deeply  into  whatever 
duty  or  task  is  yours.  You  enter 
sparingly  into  the  joyous  pleasures 
of  the  day.  Your  older  sister  is  a 
leader  of  the  social  world  about  her. 
Why  do  you  not  join  her?" 

Her  reply  was  earnest  and  thought- 
ful. "My  sister  is  beautiful  in  fea- 
ture. She  sparkles  with  humor.  I 
am  even  ugly  in  my  plain  looks  and 
appearance.  If  I  am  to  win  friends 
and  hold  a  place  in  the  social  world 
or  a  commendable  place  anywhere, 
it  must  come  from  my  storehouse  of 
usefulness  and  congenial  acquaint- 
ance. It  takes  steadfast,  earnest 
appHcation  to  gain  these." 


102         YOUNG     AMERICA 

She  did  gain  them.  The  jewels 
in  the  storehouse  of  her  heart  and 
mind  sparkled  through  the  windows 
of  expression  in  eyes,  features,  and 
manners.  She  was  not  only  a  joy, 
but  a  living  example  of  worth  and 
culture,  imparting  an  influence  that 
encouraged  and  helped  others  to 
better  desires  and  better  deeds.  Her 
greatest  pleasure  was  the  good  that 
she  could  do.  She  smoothed  path- 
ways in  the  journey  of  life,  helped 
to  carry  heavy  burdens,  and  in  the 
sunshine  of  a  loving  heart  cheered 
the  weary  toilers. 

All  that  is  enduring,  all  that  we 
can  leave  behind  us  that  has  life 
in  it,  is  the  good  that  we  do.  This 
good  is  of  God,  and  through  the 
Christ-spirit  we  manifest  it.  Beauty 
in  feature  and  sparkhng  humor 
should  be  the  trimming  and  not  the 
garment  of  character. 

Life's  activity,  Truth's  stability, ,  and 
Love's  protection  are  the  vitality, 
the  Jreedom,  and  the  safe- 
guard of  existence. 


A 


THE  SACRIFICE 


GENTLEMAN  who  had  gained 
many  of  this  world's  honors,  but 
with  a  big  heart  full  of  kindness, 
ever  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand, 
served,  without  pay,  a  poor  woman 
in  trouble.  Two  years  later  this 
woman  appeared  at  the  door  of  the 
gentleman's  home  and  asked  to  see 
him.  He  stepped  to  the  door  and 
invited  her  to  enter.  She  refused, 
but  said,  with  a  happy  countenance: 
"You  did  me  a  great  favor  some 
time  ago  and  I  am  very  grateful 
for  it.  I  have  no  money,  but  I 
have  a  few  chickens.  One  was  my 
pet,  and  I  have  brought  it  to  you," 
and  taking  it  from  under  her  shawl 
she  stroked  it  tenderly  and  said, 
"It  is  a  beauty  and  my  best,  and  I 
want  you  to  have  it." 

The  gentleman  looked  at  her,  then 
looked  at  the  chicken,  and  kindly 
said,  "I  cannot  take  your  pet 
chicken;   you  have  paid  the  debt,  if 


104         YOUNG     AMERICA 

debt  you  call  it,  by  bringing  that 
gift  to  me.  Your  chicken  is  a 
beauty;  see  how  it  looks  to  you  for 
protection  when  I  touch  it.  Take 
your  dear  pet  home  with  you,  I 
cannot  accept  it.  You  have  brought 
your  treasure  to  the  sacrificial  altar 
and  you  do  not  have  to  sacrifice  it." 

With  tears  in  her  eyes  she  turned 
away,  tenderly  embracing  her  pet. 

This  man  unselfishly  helped  the 
needy  without  one  thought  of  re- 
ward; but  an  enduring  phase  of 
good  must  have  vitahzed  this  act. 
The  quahty  of  mind  and  heart  is 
portrayed  in  expressed  ideas  and 
affections.  A  response  to  this  ex- 
pression may  not  be  seen  today  nor 
tomorrow,  and  perhaps  never,  but 
it  is  faithfully  continuing  on  its 
good  mission. 

The   appearing  of    Good-will  in  our 
hearts   is  the   appearing   oj  our 
Saviour  —  the  Christ  —  it 
is  the  activity  oj  Love. 


coat' 


etc' 


0 


THE  LESSON 


NE  day,  long  ago,  when  the 
country  was  full  of  tramps  (people 
going  from  door  to  door  and  street 
to  street  begging),  an  able-bodied 
man  came  to  my  home  and  asked 
for  food. 

I  promptly  prepared  him  a  good 
lunch  and  gave  it  to  him.  He  gave 
nothing  in  return. 

Later  in  the  day  a  woman  with 
needles,  pins,  thread,  etc.,  to  sell 
came  to  the  side  door.  I  refused 
to  even  look  at  her  goods  and 
bought  none.  As  she  walked  away 
with  her  little  bundle,  I  looked 
after  her  and  then  sat  down  and 
meditated:  An  able-bodied  man 
came  and  asked  for  food.  I  gave 
it  to  him.  A  middle-aged,  slen- 
der woman  came  to  my  door  with 
something  to  give  me  in  return 
for  money  or  help,  and  I  turned 
her  away.     My   heart,   ashamed  of 


I06         YOUNG     AMERICA 

itself,  sank  within  me,  and  I  would 
have  called  the  woman  back,  but 
she  was  gone.  A  lesson  for  years 
to  come:  Help  those  who  would 
help  themselves. 


EVERY  GOOD  DEED  IS 
REFLECTED  IN  GOOD 

iVlR.  A.,  a  man  of  position  and 
influence,  was  always  helping  to  lift 
burdens;  to  encourage  the  heart- 
sick and  weary;  to  help  them  stand 
and  to  start  them  refreshed  on  their 
journey. 

Years  after  a  certain  favor  given, 
the  gentleman's  wife  was  exceedingly 
anxious  to  have  a  house  gown  made 
to  send  to  her  mother.  It  was  just 
before  Christmas  and  every  seam- 
stress was  busy  and  every  shop  full 
of  work.  The  wife  went  in  vain 
from  place  to  place,  and  at  last, 
almost  in  despair,  went  to  a  distant 
dressmaker.  After  urgently  stating 
her  business,  the  dressmaker  replied 
in  just  as  earnest  a  manner  that  it 
was  impossible  to  do  anything  for 
her.  The  lady  urged  if  she  would 
only  cut  the  garment  she  would 
not  ask  more.  "Impossible,"  was  the 
reply. 


I08         YOUNG     AMERICA 

As  the  lady  took  her  departure, 
the  dressmaker  said,  **Come  back, 
I  cannot  let  you  go,  come  back." 
She  cut  the  gown  and  took  great 
pains  in  basting  and  explaining  all 
about  it.  In  joyous  delight  the 
lady  asked  her  charge.  The  dress- 
maker said:  "Not  one  cent.  Your 
husband,  without  pay,  helped  my 
husband  to  many  dollars.  This  is 
just  a  little  'thank  you'  for  the 
kindness  of  years  ago.  I  could  not 
take  your  money.  Gratitude  found 
the  way  for  me  to  do  a  little  favor 
for  you,  and  I  will  not  disappoint 
any  one  else  by  doing  it.  I  will 
work  a  little  later  tonight." 

This  same  gentleman  years  ago 
closed  up  a  business  transaction, 
but  with  some  petty  annoyances. 
There  were  many  changes  of  cir- 
cumstances during  the  following 
years.  As  thousands  of  miles  sepa- 
rated the  persons,  they  never  met 
after  their  business  relations  closed. 
In  191 2,  a  letter  with  a  draft  en- 
closed was  received  by  this  gentle- 
man's wife,  with  these  words :  **  Some 
years  ago,  in  settlement  with  your 


EVERY     GOOD     DEED      109 

husband,  a  mistake  was  made  in 
my  favor.  At  this  late  hour  I 
wish  to  correct  it.  I  sought  to  find 
him,  then  his  family.  Please  accept 
this  draft;   it  is  yours." 

Justice  manacles  injustice  sooner  or 
later.     Justice  is  the  positive  and 
cancels  injustice,  which  is  nega- 
tive.    Injustice   represents    no 
real  thing,  hence  has  no  place 
and    must    go    out    from 
consciousness,  generally 
through  suffering.     It 
finally  leads  to  its 
own  destruction. 


OVERCOMING    DIFFICULTIES 


A 


DEAR  baby  boy  came  to  a 
fond  father  and  mother,  and  this 
little  fellow  was  given  everything  to 
make  him  happy  that  parents,  rel- 
atives, and  friends  could  give.  The 
devoted  mother  laid  down  this  life's 
labors  and  left  her  little  three-year- 
old  boy  and  her  happy  home  to  the 
care  of  others.  When  this  little 
son  was  five  years  old,  the  father 
brought  him  another  loving  mother. 

Years  passed  on  and  three  sisters 
and  a  brother  came  into  the  home. 
The  father's  health  failed,  business 
had  to  be  given  up,  fortunes  were 
spent,  and  another  mound  rose  by 
the  side  of  the  mother's. 

The  question  of  support  faced 
this  family,  and  this  young  lad  was 
the  breadwinner.  He  was  a  bright, 
capable,  trustworthy  boy  of  fourteen 
years.  His  uncle  procured  for  him 
a  Government  Appointment  with  a 
surveying  party,  and  he  filled  it  so 


OVERCOMING    DIFFICULTIES     III 

ably  that  a  position  in  Washington, 
D.C.,  was  given  him.  Only  neces- 
sities for  himself  claimed  part  of 
his  wages.  The  greater  part  was 
lovingly  and  gratefully  sent  to  his 
mother  for  the  support  of  the  family. 

This  boy  was  ambitious  for  an 
education.  He  was  naturally  a 
mathematician  and  he  became  an 
expert  in  this  capacity.  He  filled 
every  position  that  came  to  him  so 
manfully  that  his  work  was  his 
strongest  recommendation. 

His  mother  became  a  helpless 
invalid.  Kind  relatives  and  friends 
lent  a  helping  hand,  but  the  mother 
looked  to  this  son  for  her  greatest 
support  and  strength.  Though  a 
mere  child  in  years,  he  was  a  man 
in  experience.  A  third  mound  rose 
in  the  cemetery  lot  and  this  boy  was 
left  with  four  children;  his  father 
and  mother  gone;  his  father's  for- 
tune gone;  the  estate  left  him  by  his 
own  mother  gone.  What  could  he 
do?  Relatives  and  friends  cared  for 
the  three  sisters,  and  this  boy  kept 
the  brother;  and  with  tenderness, 
watchfulness,    and    forbearance    he 


112  YOUNG     AMERICA 

cared  for  this  brother  until,  at 
twenty-four,  he  too  rested  from 
earth's  trials  and  sorrows. 

It  was  not  hard  for  this  boy,  now 
grown  into  manhood,  to  find  posi- 
tions of  good  recompense  for  labor 
well  done.  He  had  developed  into 
a  good  business  man  and  his  accu- 
racy, his  honest  uprightness,  his  affa- 
bility, and  good  judgment  caused 
the  bankers'  world  to  call  him.  This 
man,  with  a  wife,  a  home  of  their 
own,  many  friends  and  proud  rela- 
tives, is  at  the  head  of  a  large, 
thrifty  bank.  Stability,  activity, 
uprightness,  love  to  God  and  man, 
build  a  character  stanch  and  strong 
that  blesses  humanity. 

"  There  is  power  in  patience.     It  saves 

us  Jrom  despair.     When  victory  is 

postponed,  it  makes  it  impossible 

for  disappointment  to  crush  us. 

It  makes  us  endure  and  per- 

severe,  and  endurance  and 

perseverance  lead  to 

triumph,** 


POLISH  YOUR  SHOES 

It  is  necessary  to  be  polite,  genteel, 
gracious,  and  attractive  in  general 
manners  and  dealings  with  men. 
To  delve  into  the  science  world  and 
learn  the  intricacies  of  its  teachings 
is  imperative;  but  the  beauty  and 
harmony  there  discovered  should 
pohsh  and  beautify  the  one  who 
discovers  and  learns  them.  The 
business  man,  the  man  of  letters 
and  culture,  as  well  as  the  man 
of  the  social  world,  require  it.  A 
rounded  character  is  in  demand,  a 
character  with  every  part  at  its 
active  best.     To  illustrate: 

A  professor  in  a  college  took  great 
pride  and  deep  interest  in  his 
students  during  their  college  days, 
and  afterwards.  A  friend  of  this 
professor,  a  man  of  wealth  and  far- 
reaching  enterprises,  wished  a  scien- 
tific, practical,  judicious,  energetic 
man  for  a  foreign  mission  and  asked 
Professor if  he  knew  of  such 


114         YOUNG     AMERICA 

an  one.  Without  hesitation,  in  high- 
est terms,  he  recommended  one  of 
his  former  students  who  had  proved 
himself  to  be  most  able  in  this  very 
work.  The  young  man  was  sent 
to  the  friend.  Months  passed  and 
he  heard  nothing  of  the  result  of 
the  visit.  On  inquiry  the  friend 
said:  "I  interviewed  the  man  you 
sent  me  and  was  greatly  pleased. 
I  invited  him  to  dine  with  me.  His 
table  manners  were  crude.  I  could 
not  send  him  on  the  mission,  for 
the  grace  of  his  character  had  been 
forgotten  in  his  education." 

The  day  is  fast  passing  away  in 
which  uncouthness  of  manners  is 
sanctioned  or  forgiven  in  the  busi- 
ness world,  the  scientific,  political, 
or  professional.  Each  man  must  be 
a  gentleman  in  every  act.  This 
day  is  dawning,  and  ere  it  sheds 
its  midday  splendor,  it  will  reflect 
its  light  upon  the  nations,  upon  a 
world  of  harmony  in  thought  and 
action! 


THE  LESSON  OF  THE 
CHURCH  ORGAN 


I 


WAS  invited  with  others  to  visit 
a  new  church  and  hear  and  see  the 
large  organ.  The  builder  of  this 
fine  instrument  was  to  explain  its 
intricate  mechanism.  The  visiting 
party  was  small  in  number  and 
gathered  about  the  console. 

There  were  keyboards  above  key- 
boards; there  were  multiplied  num- 
bers of  stops  on  either  side.  They 
could  be  used  individually  or  col- 
lectively or  in  sections.  Then  there 
was  a  mechanism  below  for  the  feet 
to  play  upon.  While  the  organ  was 
there,  ready  to  do  its  part,  it  seemed 
to  take  the  whole  of  man  to  per- 
form his  part.  Even  electricity  was 
brought  in  to  help  man  in  making 
this  instrument  do  its  best. 

We  Hstened  to  the  music  in  its 
modulated  tones,  from  the  softest 
notes  to  the  loud  thunderings,  then 
its  master  said,    "Now  we  will  hear 


Il6         YOUNG     AMERICA 

the  echo,"  and  on  these  same  keys 
this  master  played  an  organ  in 
the  farthermost  part  of  that  large 
church.  It  was  another  organ,  and 
little  electric  wires  told  it  what 
to  do,  and  it  sweetly  and  clearly 
responded  to  their  bidding.  It  was 
wonderful  and  my  thought  was 
awakened.  I  could  see  much,  but 
I  could  hear  more  than  I  could  see. 
Oh,  that  music! 

We  were  asked  if  we  would  like 
to  see  the  organ  and  its  pipes.  Of 
course  we  would.  We  first  came  to 
the  immense  foundation,  with  its 
heavy  construction,  then  we  com- 
menced to  chmb.  We  stopped  at 
each  landing  to  hear  more  of  this 
wonderful  instrument,  then  on  we 
went  up  narrower  and  steeper  stairs 
until  we  were  among  the  living, 
speaking  pipes  themselves.  Wonder- 
ful! Wonderful!  How  could  man 
conceive  and  execute  such  a  thing! 
The  master  at  the  keys  below  made 
those  little  pipes  sound  their  sweet- 
est and  the  larger  ones  sound  in 
heavier  tones;  then  again  all  would 
play  together,  increasing  in  volume 


THE     CHURCH     ORGAN      II7 

until  the  whole  structure  seemed 
to  reel  under  its  mighty  sound.      • 

The  builder  would  take  up  this 
pipe  and  that  pipe  and  explain  what 
relation  it  held  to  the  whole  and  how 
necessary  it  was.  There  were  hun- 
dreds and  thousands  of  these  pipes, 
each  holding  its  proper  place  and 
in  its  true  tone  acting  its  necessary 
part  in  making  up  the  whole. 

We  descended  and  occupied  seats 
in  the  body  of  the  church  and  from 
there  listened  to  the  wonderful  music 
played  upon  that  gigantic  mstru- 
ment  by  its  master.  The  words 
master,  music,  and  organ  had  a 
keener  meaning  to  me  than  ever 
before. 

Silence  was  with  the  guests  and 
they  listened  to  catch  the  voices  of 
those  wee  little  pipes  as  they  sounded 
with  the  larger  and  greater  ones. 
It  was  touchingly  pathetic  to  hear 
them  all  working  together,  doing 
their  best. 

I  did  not  tarry  but  came  right 
home  and  up  to  my  room  to  ponder 
the  lessons  of  the  organ.  If  man 
can    conceive   and    work    out    such 


Il8         YOUNG     AMERICA 

harmony  in  the  many  tones  of  music, 
he  can  conceive  and  work  out  har- 
mony in  the  many  tones  of  living. 
If  each  of  us  would  be  sure  of  our 
own  note  and  sound  it  and  not 
trespass  on  one  another's  notes,  the 
multitude  would  sing  together,  work 
together  in  harmony  and  rejoicing. 


A: 


OUR  POINT  OF  VIEW 


STRONOMY  was  a  joy  to  me  in 
my  school  days,  and  in  later  years 
I  took  up  this  delightful  study  anew. 
I  became  famihar  with  the  northern 
and  mid-heaven  constellations  and 
learned  in  theory  of  the  southern 
constellations.  In  1890  I  traveled 
south  of  the  equator,  and  my  book 
knowledge  was  put  to  a  test.  What 
I  had  learned  in  theory  was  now 
brought  into  practise.  Everything 
was  new  to  me,  people,  climate, 
vegetation;  and  not  only  these,  but 
above  me  were  new  heavens.  The 
mid-heaven  constellations  were  all 
there,  but  upside  down.  They  were 
all  standing  on  their  heads.  The 
great  and  little  Dippers  and  their 
associates  were  gone,  and  the  South- 
ern Cross  and  its  associates  appeared. 
The  sun  rose  in  the  east  and  circled 
to  the  north,  shining  in  our  north 
windows  on  its  way  westward.  The 
seasons   were   also    changed    about. 


120         YOUNG     AMERICA 

December,  January,  and  February 
were  the  summer  months,  March, 
April,  and  May  the  autumn,  June, 
July,  and  August  the  winter,  Sep- 
tember, October,  and  November  the 
spring. 

While  at  night  the  heavens  were 
brilliant,  they  were  devoid  of  the 
northern  glow.  There  were  fewer 
stars  of  the  first  and  second  magni- 
tude. I  realized  more  fully  than 
ever  before  how  much  depends  upon 
our  outlook.  The  heavens  had  not 
changed,  but  my  position  with  regard 
to  them  had  changed,  and  I  had 
much  more  to  learn  about  them. 

Those  who  steadfastly  stand  in 
one  place  and  become  familiar  with 
that  view  often  think  they  see  all 
there  is  to  see.  Such  an  one  is 
hedged  about  by  opaque  ignorance 
or  is  in  a  chrysalis  state.  It  is 
wiser  to  view  from  all  sides;  then 
this  chrysalis  state  of  thought  will 
vitalize  into  a  broadness  not  known 
before. 


A 


LOVING  WORDS 


LITTLE  five-year-old  girl  was 
permitted  for  the  first  time  to  dine 
with  company.  When  the  mother 
put  the  little  one  to  bed,  the  darling 
said,  "Mother,  Father  made  me  very 
happy  when  he  bid  me  good  night. 
He  kissed  me  and  said,  *BiII,  I  was 
proud  of  you  tonight,  you  were  a 
good  girl/"  The  father  was  a  man 
of  few  words,  but  these  few  were 
enough  to  make  the  child  happy. 
The  joys  we  put  into  a  child's  life 
are  bright  stars  in  the  heavens  above 
them,  broadening  the  radius  of  their 
vision,  and  in  this  vision  they  see 
how  to  reflect  joys. 


THE  WEDDING 


A 


GENTLEMAN,  a  lady,  and 
young  lady  daughter  have  been 
visiting  us.  The  young  lady  is  a 
step-daughter  to  the  gentleman. 
When  she  was  six  years  of  age  her 
mother  brought  to  her  a  new  father. 
I  remarked  to  the  mother  that  I 
never  saw  greater  devotion  between 
father  and  daughter  than  between 
these  two.  Then  she  related  the 
wedding  ceremony  that  united  the 
lives  of  this  man  and  the  little  one. 

When  the  wedding  preparations 
were  being  made,  the  little  girl  par- 
took of  the  spirit  of  the  occasion. 
As  the  event  drew  near,  the  darhng 
said  to  her  mother:  ** Where  am  / 
to  be?  What  am  /  going  to  do?" 
The  mother  replied,  **We  will  see, 
my  daughter." 

The  little  one's  clothes  were  pre- 
pared and  were  of  the  daintiest  of 
white  fabrics.  As  the  day  ap- 
proached,   the    child    asked    again: 


THE     WEDDING  123 

"What  am   /  to  do?     What  part 
am  /  going  to  take?" 

The  mother  explained  the  situa- 
tion to  the  minister.  The  good  man 
understood  and  said,  "She  shall  have 
a  part."  When  the  mother  walked 
to  the  altar  upon  the  groom's  arm, 
the  Httle  daughter  went  hand  in 
hand  with  him  upon  the  other  side. 
After  the  vows  of  husband  and  wife 
were  solemnized,  the  minister  turned 
to  the  child  and  said:  "Grace,  do 
you  take  this  man  as  your  lawful 
father?  Will  you  love  him  and  be 
dutiful  to  him  so  long  as  you  both 
hve?"  The  sweet  voice  in  childish 
trust  said,  "I  do."  Then  he  turned 
to  the  groom:  "Will  you  take  this 
child  as  your  lawful  daughter,  love 
and  care  for  her  so  long  as  you  both 
live?"  The  vows  were  taken,  the 
three  were  wedded,  and  from  that 
day  they  have  been  devoted  to  one 
another. 


SHADOW  AND  REFLECTION 


M 


-Y  five-year-old  granddaughter 
had  heard  much  about  shadow  and 
reflection  in  her  Sunday-school.  One 
day,  after  returning  from  Sunday- 
school,  she  came  to  me  and  said, 
"Shadow  isn't  anything,  is  it?  It 
can't  hurt  us."  Then  she  ran  away 
and  brought  me  a  picture  and  her 
little  voice  rang  with  laughter.  It 
represented  a  man  fleeing  from  his 
shadow  in  terror.  His  arms,  in 
the  shadow,  were  outstretched,  his 
legs  flying  almost  in  air,  and  the 
whole  picture  was  one  of  horror 
personified. 

Then  her  inquiring  face  looked  up 
to  me,  and  she  asked,  **What  makes 
him  afraid?"  We  talked  it  all  over 
and  learned  that  shadow  was  a 
manifestation  of  things  in  blackness 
without  the  glow  of  life,  and  we 
cafled  it  a  specter,  an  imaginary 
evil.  We  always  named  everything 
and  called  it  by  that  name,  so  that 


t^     >  c  *         t 


What  is  Reflection,  .Gran.oma  ?-  ■  -  ^  /. 


«  o  • 


SHADOW    AND    REFLECTION       125 

we  could  place  things  where  they 
belonged,  —  the  good  in  God's  King- 
dom and  the  bad  in  no  kingdom, 
because  God's  Kingdom  is  all  the 
kingdom  there  is.  Everything  else 
claiming  a  kingdom  goes  to  nothing 
because  it  comes  from  no  power, 
for  Good  is  all  Power,  —  is  God.  It 
is  a  joy  to  see  how  the  child  mind 
will  thrive  and  grow  strong  with 
such  refreshing  food. 

One  evening  traveling  in  a  street 
car,  sitting  in  my  lap,  she  asked, 
"What  is  reflection.  Grandmother? " 
I  looked  at  the  window,  and  there 
I  saw  reflected  in  all  the  glow  of  life 
and  freshness  that  lovely,  beautiful 
child  sitting  with  me.  No  time 
was  lost.  I  said:  "Sarah,  dear, 
what  do  you  see  in  that  window?" 
"I  see  Grandmother,  I  see  Sarah, 
I  see  lots  of  people."  "Do  you  see 
what  they  are  doing  and  what  they 
are  wearing  and  the  colors  of  those 
things,  so  that  you  know  what  they 
are  individually?"  I  asked.  "You 
can  there  see  your  image  and  like- 
ness. It  does  what  you  do  —  re- 
flects your  action.     It  is  in  no  way 


126         YOUNG     AMERICA 

independent  of  you."  We  talked 
with  much  interest  about  these  peo- 
ple and  things  that  we  saw,  then 
I  said  to  her,  "That  is  reflection, 
the  image  and  Hkeness  of  what  is 
here  in  the  car."  Later,  after  we 
had  gotten  a  positive  idea  of  reflec- 
tion, I  told  her  of  God's  reflection  — 
image  and  Hkeness  —  which  is  Good, 
Life,  Truth,  Love.  It  was  a  happy 
time  for  us  both.  She  often  asked 
questions  about  reflection,  image, 
and  Hkeness.  She  fast  learned  how 
to  reflect  Love,  Truth,  Life,  Good,  and 
with  a  Httle  reminder,  **Ask  Good 
to  help  you  to  be  good,"  many  clouds 
were  scattered  with  the  sunshine  of 
smiles. 

Henry    Ward   Beecher    said:     ''The 

first   hour   of  the   morning   is   the 

rudder  oj  the  day,"     Thus  it  is 

with  people,  the  first  years  of 

their    lives    generally    steer 

them  through  later  years. 


THE  HOLY  BIBLE 


T 


HE  Bible  is  read  in  four  hundred 
and  forty  languages.  In  co-opera- 
tion different  nations  are  making  it 
possible  for  the  Bible,  in  familiar 
language,  to  be  introduced  into  coun- 
tries that  have  not  heard  of  the 
Christ  nor  the  sacred  books  that 
proclaim  Him. 

The  ** American  Bible  Society"  is 
now  at  work  translating  this  book 
into  the  languages  of  different  tribes 
of  the  Phihppine  Islands.  The  in- 
creased interest  of  Scripture  reading 
in  our  own  country  is  shown  by  the 
greatly  multiplied  sales  of  the  Bible 
each  year.  Does  not  this  reading 
of  the  living  truth  raise  the  standard 
of  thought  and  affection?  He  who 
listens  to  hear,  watches  to  see,  and 
reads  the  trend  of  this  restless  age 
can  detect  the  Bible  banner  waving 
above  the  din  of  discord,  urging 
humanity  to  come  up  higher.  This 
listening,  this  watching,  this  reading, 


128         YOUNG     AMERICA 

is  doing  a  mighty  work,  it  is  urging 
a  recognition  of  our  Redeemer.  In 
this  age  more  than  in  any  record  age 
there  is  organized,  stirring  activity 
manifested  to  help  the  children,  the 
young  and  older  people,  and  to 
bring  out  the  best  in  them  —  a 
striving  to  make  their  burdens  light 
with  the  joys  of  love  which  have 
heretofore  slumbered  in  stern  duty. 
The  Bible  Kghts  the  pathway,  broad- 
^s  the  vision,  and  quickens  activity 
in  thought  and  affection.  And  this 
is  for  all  alike. 


PATRIOTISM 


E 


iVERY  child  of  every  land  should 
be  taught  the  meaning  of  loyalty 
to  his  country.  In  no  land  is  the 
national  flag  so  universally  used, 
in  the  home,  for  decoration,  and 
placed  in  the  hands  of  children,  or 
worn  upon  the  person,  as  in  the 
United  States  of  America.  Each 
nation's  flag  plays  its  part  in  its 
nation's  individual  way. 

It  is  the  almost  universal  custom 
of  every  nation,  through  devotion 
and  loyalty,  for  its  subjects  to  rise 
to  their  feet  at  the  first  sounded  note 
of  their  national  air  and  to  salute 
their  flag.  There  are  no  people  who 
should  pay  their  nation's  air  and 
flag  greater  respect  than  the  Ameri- 
can people.  Would  it  not  be  well  to 
teach  every  boy  and  girl  throughout 
our  domain  to  give  outward  expres- 
sion to  the  loyalty  they  bear  their 
nation's  emblem  and  song?  Would 
it  not  bring  to  their  minds  and  hearts 


130         YOUNG     AMERICA 

more  keenly  the  great  principles  for 
which  our  country  so  steadfastly 
stands,  and  thus  build  for  her  a 
bulwark  of  defense? 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  and 
impressive  scenes  that  ever  crossed 
my  pathway  was  a  State  Sunday- 
school  convention  of  many  different 
religious  denominations. 

Trains  arrived  early  from  different 
parts  of  the  State  and  continued  to 
arrive.  At  ten  o'clock  the  street 
thronged  with  animated  people  to 
greet  the  dear  children  from  far 
and  near.  The  streets  were  deco- 
rated with  our  country's  flag  and 
her  colors  in  different  designs.  Mot- 
toes telhng  of  love  to  God  and  man, 
good-will,  good  cheer,  and  patriotism 
arched  the  streets;  and  the  stores 
and  pubhc  buildings  proclaimed  their 
love  welcome  to  the  children  visitors 
in  wonderful  beauty. 

The  bands  began  to  play  their 
spirited  yet  sweet  music;  the  mar- 
shals cleared  the  way  and  in  the 
distance  we  saw  winged  fairies  com- 
ing, coming,  coming,  waving  their 
wings   and   keeping  time  with   the 


PATRIOTISM  131 

music.  Above,  and  leading  them, 
seemed  to  be  a  large  eagle.  As 
they  drew  nearer  we  saw  that  this 
procession  of  winged  fairies  was 
composed  of  hundreds  and  thousands 
of  Sunday-school  children  dressed 
in  white,  wearing  upon  their  heads 
and  around  their  necks,  or  carrying 
in  their  hands,  wreaths  of  beautiful 
flowers.  Each  child  was  waving 
above  his  or  her  head  the  nation's 
flag,  which  in  the  distance  seemed 
to  be  the  wings  of  fairies.  The 
large  eagle  leading  them  was  a  large 
flag  upon  a  high  standard.  They 
kept  coming  and  going.  What  a 
sight !  For  over  one  hour  we  watched 
this  moving  panorama  of  superin- 
tendents, teachers,  and  pupils.  It 
was  a  wonderful  quaff"  of  inspira- 
tion, quickening  thought  and  feehng. 
Beauty  in  activity  proclaimed  love 
in  every  part  of  that  wonderful 
procession.  Our  flag  never  waved 
more  proudly  nor  in  greater  joy  than 
in  the  hands  of  those  dear  children. 
It  seemed  to  say:  "They  love  me! 
God  will  protect  and  uphold  me 
through  this  love!"    They  marched 


132         YOUNG     AMERICA 

on  amid  the  cheers  and  plaudits 
of  the  appreciative  multitude  and 
entered  a  beautiful  park  prepared 
to  receive  them.  On  a  terraced 
hillside  they  were  seated.  Love  to 
God  and  love  for  our  country,  join- 
ing hands,  made  our  country's  colors 
glow  with  great  resplendency,  quick- 
ening to  a  blaze  love's  unity  on  love's 
altar.  Short  speeches  were  given 
by  noted  men  and  women.  Reli- 
gious hymns  and  patriotic  songs 
familiar  to  all  were  sung  and  the 
exercises  closed  with 

"Onward,  Christian  Soldier, 
Marching  as  to  war, 


We  are  not  divided, 
All  one  body  we, 
One  in  hope  and  doctrine. 
One  in  Charity." 

And  all  standing,  and  amid  the  wav- 
ing of  a  sea  of  flags,  the  large  choir  of 
voices  sounded  and  resounded: 

"Our  Country,  *t  is  of  thee, 
Sweet  land  of  Liberty, 
Of  thee  we  sing." 

Thus    ended    the    day's    united 
action.     The    many    bringing    their 


PATRIOTISM  133 

mite  and  placing  it  upon  the  altar 
of  love's  sacrifice  departed  with 
love's  cup  full  to  overflowing. 

Another  beautiful  picture  was  a 
United  States  flag  composed  of  school 
children  at  Iowa's  State  Fair.  A 
very  large  flag  was  woven  and  un- 
furled, with  its  stripes  and  stars  in 
the  hving  glow  of  Hfe.  A  chorus 
of  strong  voices  sang  "The  Star- 
spangled  Banner."  With  enthusi- 
asm the  voices  rose  higher  and  still 
higher,  as  if  to  reach  high  heaven. 
These  children  seemed  to  realize 
that  they  were  really  a  part  of  the 
country  they  were  representing  in 
this  emblem.  These  Kttle  acts  plant 
thought-seeds  that  grow  and  vitalize 
a  nation. 

Every  good  thought  expressed  is  echoing 
and  re-echoing  in  the  vast  Jorever. 


s 


NATIONS  LOVE  WEALTH 


OME  time  ago  in  China,  in  talk- 
ing with  an  educated,  far-thinking 
American  upon  different  topics,  he 
made  this  remark:  "Situated  as 
you  are,  you  can  see  the  attitude  of 
many  nations  and  their  modes  of 
working,  and  in  my  travels  I  have 
not  been  sleeping.  I  find  as  soon 
as  a  nation  becomes  wealthy,  the 
other  powers  combine,  not  inten- 
tionally perhaps,  but  for  selfish  gain, 
to  sap  that  nation,  girdle  it,  kill  it, 
and  appropriate  its  wealth.  Our 
country  is  increasing  in  wealth  and 
strength,  and  jealousies  are  com- 
ing to  the  front.  She  must  watch. 
She  is  now  at  peace  with  all  the 
world,  and  if  one,  two,  or  three 
countries  should  combine  against 
her,  she  could  stand;  but  if  all 
in  their  greed  should  turn  upon 
her,  her  fate  would  be  that  of 
other   nations." 


NATIONS     LOVE     WEALTH       135 

Why  must  this  be?  Will  not  the 
same  love  for  the  Christ-spirit,  for 
freedom,  that  guided  the  May- 
flower to  its  safe  harbor  still  pro- 
tect her?  Will  not  the  same  love 
that  unlocked  the  nursery  door  and 
baffled  the  whip  of  the  mother 
country;  that  held  cemented  the 
Union  entire;  that  abolished  slavery; 
that  opened  freely  its  heart  and 
purse  to  suffering  people  at  home 
and  abroad;  that  rescued  Cuba  and 
gave  her  back  to  herself;  that 
bought  the  Philippine  Islands  al- 
ready as  good  as  conquered;  that 
stood  as  one  of  the  strongest  pro- 
tectors of  China  in  her  direful  need; 
—  will  not  all  this  stand  as  a  strong 
breastwork  for  her  protection?  In 
China  our  country  would  accept 
nothing  as  the  spoils  of  war;  gave 
back  the  silver  captured  at  Tientsin ; 
and  protected  and  turned  back  to 
China  her  millions  of  taels  and 
valuable  jewels  which  were  con- 
cealed in  the  Forbidden  City;  and 
later  canceled  the  indemnity  fund. 
Yes,  will  not  such  a  spirit,  conceived 
and    adhered    to,  allay    temptation 


136         YOUNG     AMERICA 

and  greed  and  protect  her  from 
the  invasions  of  other  nations? 
Will  not  this  spirit  enable  her  to 
do  still  more  magnanimous  acts? 
We  are  a  child  nation  and  are 
thus  called. 

Not  until  this  war  with  Spain 
and  our  relief  army  went  to  China, 
did  the  nations  know  us,  nor  did 
we  know  ourselves.  Respect  or  dis- 
grace comes  with  the  knowing,  and 
respect  has  been  our  country's  por- 
tion. Mighty  work  was  done  at 
the  helm  and  elsewhere.  Our  Presi- 
dents, McKinley  and  Roosevelt,  our 
incomparable  Secretary  Hay,  our 
stalwart  army,  with  other  efficient 
helpers,  were  strong  to  will  and  to 
do.  May  the  United  States  con- 
tinue to  be  a  child  in  the  temple 
with  the  fathers!  May  she  continue 
to  nourish  the  principles  of  right 
and  justice  that  she  may  be  sus- 
tained and  protected  in  the  future. 
The  intensity  of  youth  is  ours, 
and  as  long  as  our  activity  is  for 
justice,  success  will  crown  our 
efforts.  The  Bible  points  out  posi- 
tive    right     and     negative    wrong. 


NATIONS     LOVE     WEALTH       137 

May  the  right   make  us  strong  to 
fight  mightily! 

The  sharp  consequences  of  evil  think- 
ing and  doing  wound  the  lije  oj 
the  individual  or  the  nation 
and  make  it  inharmoni- 
ous and  scar-worn. 


SALUTING  THE  FLAG 


0 


UR  country,  like  all  countries, 
has  her  national  holidays.  Among 
them  are  two  very  prominent  ones, 
Washington's  birthday  and  Lincoln's 
birthday.  These  are  patriotic  days 
observed  in  memory  of  the  **  Father 
of  our  Country,"  George  Washing- 
ton, and  the  "Savior  of  our  Coun- 
try," Abraham  Lincoln.  Children 
are  taught  at  school  a  growing 
meaning  to  these  words. 

In  the  morning  of  one  of  these 
birthdays  I  heard  a  man  whisthng 
in  clear  tones  "The  Star-spangled 
Banner."  I  hstened  and  as  I  stepped 
out  upon  my  porch  I  observed  in 
the  yard  of  a  cottage  near  by,  father, 
mother,  and  two  Httle  daughters, 
Ruth  and  Thelma,  standing  before 
our  nation's  unfurled  flag.  With 
intense  interest  I  continued  to  Hsten. 
When  the  whistling  ceased,  the  Ht- 
tle seven-year-old  daughter,  Ruth, 
stepped   forward,    saluted   the   flag. 


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r 
c 

H 
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t.  e     t    >-  .    ' 
c       c  c     t       c 


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SALUTING     THE     FLAG     139 

and  uttered  words  which  I  could 
not  hear.  I  asked,  "Will  the  little 
darlings  come  to  me  and  salute  my 
flag?"  They  came,  hand  in  hand, 
and  standing  together  upon  the 
porch,  Ruth  saluted  the  flag  and 
said: 

"  I  pledge  allegiance  to  our  flag  and  the 
Republic  for  which  it  stands,  one  Nation, 
indivisible,  with  liberty  and  justice  for  all." 

Then,  in  childish  but  sweet  tones, 
still  looking  at  the  flag,  they  sang 
**The  Three  Little  Sisters": 

"  I  know  three  little  sisters, 
I  think  you  know  them,  too. 
For  one  is  red  and  one  is  white. 
And  the  other  one  is  blue. 

"Hurrah  for  the  three  little  sisters. 
Hurrah  for  the  red,  white,  and  blue. 
Hurrah,  hurrah,  hurrah,  hurrah, 
Hurrah  for  the  red,  white,  and  blue, 

"  I  know  three  little  lessons. 
These  little  sisters  tell. 
The  first  is  love,  then  purity. 
Then  truth  we  love  so  well. 

"  Hurrah  for  the  three  little  sisters, 
Hurrah  for  the  red,  white,  and  blue, 
Hurrah,  hurrah,  hurrah,  hurrah. 
Hurrah  for  the  red,  white,  and  blue." 


140         YOUNG     AMERICA 

This  beautiful  tribute  to  our  flag 
is  taught  the  little  ones  in  our 
pubhc  schools. 

Words  have  not  the  power  to 
emphasize  enough  the  height,  depth, 
and  breadth  of  this  lesson.  But  do 
we  not  perceive  that  now,  in  this 
age,  the  everlasting  song  of  love 
sounds  sweeter,  clearer,  and  louder 
than  ever  before,  through  our  flag 
and  its  children  lovers?  The  multi- 
tudes catch  the  strains.  This  ever- 
sounding  melody  of  love  is  taught 
and  heard  more  and  more  in  the 
home,  in  the  school,  in  college  and 
university,  in  sermon  and  lecture, 
in  the  community,  yes,  over  our 
whole  country  and  other  countries. 
It  is  the  inspiring  melody  of  the 
great  Christ-heart,  played  by  the 
positive  hand  of  love.  In  the  hearts 
of  children,  love's  melodies  sound 
with  new,  living  vigor,  strewing 
the  flowers  of  joy  along  their  path- 
way. 

Truth  guards  Love's  gateway^  passing 
in  the  proper  guests. 


THE  STAR  EAGLE'S  PROMISE 

1864 


D 


URING  our  Civil  War  in  the 
sixties  of  eighteen  hundred,  there 
were  awful  battles  of  brother  against 
brother,  on  the  soil  of  their  home 
country.  Many  sacrifices  were  made 
and  much  blood  was  shed.  Heart 
sorrows  entered  every  fireside.  An 
universal  prayer,  earnest  and  devout, 
flowed  from  the  heart's  fountain  for 
a  settlement  of  diff*erences,  —  for 
peace.  A  night  dream  brought  to 
my  girl-thought  a  promise  of  an 
answer  to  this  prayer.  Seemingly, 
I  was  standing  in  the  blackness  of  a 
dark  night,  with  eyes  turned  up- 
ward. Not  a  star  was  to  be  seen. 
I  clasped  my  hands  as  in  prayer, 
still  looking  upward.  I  saw  rising 
from  the  south  the  head  of  an  eagle 
with  something  in  its  beak  that 
seemed  like  clusters  of  stars.  This 
vision  kept  rising  higher  and  higher, 
revealing  more  and  more  of  an  eagle, 


142         YOUNG     AMERICA 

with  wings  extended,  reaching  the 
horizon  at  east  and  west.  Its  tail 
was  spread  and  it  kept  rising  until 
that  beautiful,  star-Ht  bird  covered 
the  whole  heavens.  A  peace  offer- 
ing was  in  its  beak,  and  the  whole 
bird  sparkled  with  the  twinkhng 
diamonds  in  the  heavens  above  us. 
In  wild,  silent  joy  I  stood  motion- 
less, with  clasped  hands,  and  gazed 
upon  that  wonderful,  wonderful 
promise  of  peace  in  union,  —  the 
joining  of  hands  in  heart  pledges 
under  the  outstretched  wings  of 
our  American  eagle. 


THE  SALVATION  ARMY 


E 


VERY  person  has  a  note  in  his 
or  her  nature  which,  if  touched,  helps 
to  swell  the  great  chorus  of  love's 
harmony.  It  does  not  matter  who 
they  are  nor  what  circumstances 
seem  to  rule  them.  Love  melts 
the  stubborn  iron,  the  almost  irre- 
sistible steel,  or  the  frozen  iceberg 
that  imprisons  the  human  heart. 
This  love  manifested  touches  the 
note  common  to  all,  and  the  Christ- 
spirit  catches  the  melody  and  carries 
it  heavenward.  The  efforts  to  help 
others  differ  in  quahty.  The  freer 
these  efforts  are  from  selfish  thoughts 
—  thoughts  that  desire  popularity 
or  recompense  —  the  more  effectual 
the  effort. 

Many  years  ago,  through  igno- 
rance of  their  efforts,  I  failed  to 
recognize  the  good  work  done  by 
the  Salvation  Army.  The  first  sea- 
son that  I  spent  in  the  beautiful 
capital  of  our  nation  I  visited  and 


144         YOUNG     AMERICA 

revisited  the  different  departments 
of  government  and  really  studied 
in  them.  It  seemed  that  everything 
we  met  had  in  it  a  lesson  for  us  to 
learn.  The  twenty-four  hours  were 
not  hours  enough.  What  a  wonder- 
ful, beautiful  city  is  Washington, 
with  its  higher  grades  of  activity 
reaching  a  higher  perfection!  This 
activity  awakens  a  desire  to  know 
something  as  a  whole  of  this  throng- 
ing humanity.  It  is  not  always  the 
most  attractive,  promising,  or  grand 
presentation  that  has  in  it  the  largest 
value.  To  illustrate:  One  cloudless 
day  we  halted  in  the  street  for  a 
passing  procession.  It  was  a  pro- 
cession of  Salvation  Army  soldiers. 
The  fifes  and  drums  were  sounding 
and  the  soldiers  were  singing  in 
chorus.  I  thoughtfully  said  to  my 
coachman,  ''Follow  this  procession." 
The  soldiers  entered  a  hall,  and 
we  '  entered  it  also.  The  people 
were  orderly, — respectfully  obedient. 
The  course  of  exercises  was  their 
very  own.  I  attentively  listened  and 
became  more  and  more  interested 
as  I  caught  the  spirit  of  the  experi- 


SALVATION     ARMY         145 

ences  given  by  those  soldiers.  The 
testimony  of  one  will  illustrate  the 
character  of  all.  A  man  arose  and 
in  a  clear  voice  said:  **The  Salva- 
tion Army  is  my  home.  It  is  the 
Good  Samaritan.  It  found  me  for- 
saken; it  washed  my  wounds;  took 
me  to  its  home  and  cared  for  me. 
I  had  been  for  many  years  in  a 
penitentiary,  —  I  was  a  convict.  My 
years  of  isolation  had  come  to  an 
end  and  I  went  into  the  outer  world, 
a  stranger.  When  I  applied  for 
work,  the  invariable  question  was 
asked:  *Have  you  recommenda- 
tions?' What  recommendation  has 
a  penitentiary  convict?  I  was  an 
outcast.  No  one  wanted  me.  I 
could  find  no  work.  I  sat  down, 
weary,  hungry,  and  in  despair,  upon 
the  curbstone  of  the  street.  While 
I  sat  there  in  horror  and  desolation, 
pondering  what  there  could  be  for 
me  in  this  world  of  sorrow,  I  heard 
the  fife  and  drum.  I  looked  up 
and  saw  men  and  women  following 
in  procession  and  singing: 

"Rouse  ye  I     Rouse  ye  1 
Come,  ye  disconsolate," 


146         YOUNG     AMERICA 

I  arose.  They  looked  to  be  of  my 
class  and  were  calling  to  me.  I 
followed  them,  the  last  one  in  their 
procession,  to  their  home.  They 
took  me  by  the  hand  and  raised  me 
up,  and  I  in  turn  help  other  sick 
and  sorrowing  ones  by  the  wayside." 

Since  that  day  I,  too,  in  sympathy, 
call  the  Salvation  Army  a  Good 
Samaritan,  We  each  and  all  have 
a  place  for  doing  good  work  if  we 
seek  it  unselfishly  in  the  Great  Good. 

Our  beautiful,  large  churches  have 
no  place  prepared  for  such  as  this 
released  convict.  If  he  had  sought 
a  place  there,  would  he  have  found 
a  welcome?  The  Salvation  Army 
had  a  home  prepared  for  him  and 
he  heard  the  united  voices  calling 
the  brother  to  it.  It  does  a  work 
for  humanity  that  the  Church  cannot 
do,  and  the  Church  a  work  that  the 
Salvation  Army  cannot  do.  God 
bless  them  both! 

And  now,  in  191 2,  the  founder  and 
leader  of  this  vast  army  of  Christ's 
soldiers  lays  aside  the  shackles  of 
this  mortal  living  to  wear  the  mighty 
crown  —  ** Well   Done"  —  in   love's 


SALVATION     ARMY        147 

freedom.  History  records  few  men 
and  women  who  have  discovered, 
founded,  and  broadened  a  world- 
wide heart  and  mind  enterprise  with 
life  and  love  in  and  through  it  for  all 
time  and  eternity.  Let  us  memorial- 
ize the  great  General  William  Booth 
by  deeds  of  love,  that  the  jeweled 
crown  God  has  placed  upon  this 
Christ- follower  may  be  seen  more 
clearly  by  suffering  and  sorrowing 
humanity. 


OUR  FLAG  HONORED 


I 


N  1889  and  1890,  there  arose  seri- 
ous controversies  in  Brazil,  South 
America.  Emperor  Don  Pedro  and 
his  family  were  captured  at  night 
and  banished  from  their  country. 
The  empire  fell  and  a  republic  was 
declared.  This  was  done  without 
bloodshed,  but  complications  arose 
that  brought  the  army  and  navy  in 
bitter  conflict  over  the  question, 
which  should  rule  the  new  Republic. 
The  navy  cleared  the  bay  of  all 
but  its  own  forces  and  at  times 
bombarded  the  Rio  forts.  Circum- 
stances arose  making  it  important 
for  the  United  States  Minister  to 
visit  a  ship,  on  its  way  to  New  York, 
which  was  lying  far  out  in  the  bay. 
This  United  States  Minister  started 
out  in  his  steam  launch  upon  the 
broad  waters  amid  those  warships, 
with  the  United  States  flag  his  only 
mortal  protection.  It  never  waved 
more  proudly.     That  flag  proclaimed 


OUR     FLAG     HONORED      149 

to  those  powerful  gunboat  destroyers 
the  trustworthiness  of  the  nation 
for  which  it  stood.  As  the  Minister 
neared  and  passed  by  the  Admiral's 
ship,  flag  etiquette  expressed  mutual 
good  wishes  of  the  two  friendly 
nations. 

Our  dear  beautiful  flag!  May  no 
act  of  our  country  stain  your  honor- 
able waving! 


OUR  SCHOOL  BANNER— 1858 

1  HIS  is  a  true  narrative  of  the 
year  1858.  This  was  a  year  of  great 
political  rivalry.  The  Democrats 
and  Republicans  were  so  near  abreast 
that  men,  women,  and  children  were 
awake  to  the  contest. 

Two  strong  men,  Stephen  A.  Doug- 
las and  Abraham  Lincoln,  were  rival 
candidates  in  Illinois  for  the  United 
States  Senate.  They  in  joint  dis- 
cussion advocated  their  principles. 
Throngs  of  enthusiastic  people 
gathered  to  see  these  distinguished 
men  and  listen  to  them.  One  of 
their  appointments  was  at  Gales- 
burg,'  Illinois,  to  speak  upon  the 
campus  of  Knox  College.  For  weeks 
excitement  ran  high  in  anticipation 
of  this  day.  There  was  another 
college  in  Galesburg  embracing 
coeducation,  —  Lombard  College. 
The  Democrats  of  this  institution 
conceived  the  idea  of  making  a  ban- 
ner for  Douglas,  and  the  Republi- 


OUR     SCHOOL     BANNER      151 

cans  of  making  one  for  Lincoln. 
This  banner  making  was  a  profound 
secret,  but  a  little  voice  whispered, 
** Something  is  going  on."  Wonder- 
ful thought  and  wonderful  work 
were  put  into  those  banners.  The 
design  and  the  working  out  of  the 
design  were  almost  inspiration. 

The  great  day  arrived  and  each 
political  party  of  college  youth 
formed  its  procession  of  boys  and 
girls  and  marched  to  the  station  with 
their  beautiful  satin,  embroidered, 
gold-fringed  banner,  vying  in  style, 
richness,  and  beauty.  Each  squad 
of  Lombard  students  joined  its  en- 
thusiastic party  at  the  station  and 
marched  to  Knox  College  campus. 
On  the  way  Mr.  Lincoln  stopped  at 
the  home  of  a  friend.  Before  enter- 
ing this  home  he  turned  and  faced 
the  throng  of  people  and  with  words 
that  only  a  great  man  could  have 
uttered,  he  expressed  his  apprecia- 
tion of  their  presence,  which  he 
accepted  as  a  comphment  to  the 
principles  of  the  Repubhcan  party. 
When  he  had  finished,  two  of  the 
Lombard  girls  stepped  forward  with 


152         YOUNG     AMERICA 

their  beautiful  banner  and  with  a 
few  words  placed  it  in  Mr.  Lincoln's 
hands.  Equal  to  the  occasion,  Mr. 
Lincoln  planted  living  joys  in  the 
hearts  of  the  many  givers.  Miss 
Lida  Carr  and  Miss  Mary  Pike 
were  the  girls  who  presented  this 
banner.  Mary  Pike  had  the  great 
honor  of  speaking  in  behalf  of  the 
givers. 

The  day  was  a  glorious  one. 
Both  parties  respected  and  admired 
each  of  the  speakers.  In  those  days 
the  question  of  slavery  and  its 
increase  of  territory  was  spirited 
and  became  bitterly  angry.  Compro- 
mises were  driving  the  country  into 
a  dark  night.  At  this  time  there 
was  a  great  fight  over  the  admission 
of  Kansas  as  a  state.  She  was 
called  "Bleeding  Kansas."  On  the 
Lombard  Republican  banner,  in  the 
field  of  silver  stars,  was  a  gray  star 
representing  "Bleeding  Kansas." 

A  few  years  later  when  Mr.  Lin- 
coln was  leaving  Springfield  to  fill 
the  presidential  chair  at  Washing- 
ton, a  friend  from  Kansas,  who  was 
visiting  him  at  his  home,  saw  that 


OUR     SCHOOL     BANNER      153 

banner  and  the  lone  gray  star.  Mr. 
Lincoln,  in  keen  perception,  recog- 
nized the  situation  and  presented 
the  banner  to  his  friend. 

Many  years  later  when  these 
students  were  in  homes  of  their  own 
and  their  children  were  attending 
Lombard  College,  letters  began  to 
come  into  those  homes  asking  for 
the  history  of  a  banner  presented  to 
Abraham  Lincoln  by  Lombard  stu- 
dents in  1858.  These  old  students  of 
years  ago  learned  that  their  work  — 
the  design,  the  execution  of  that 
design,  every  stitch  of  the  silver  stars 
and  the  one  gray  star,  the  colorings 
of  the  flowers,  the  eagle,  the  motto, 
the  gold  fringe,  the  streamers,  the 
standard,  all  complete — was  hermeti- 
cally sealed  and  in  the  State  His- 
torical Museum  in  Topeka,  Kansas. 
This  historical  banner  takes  its  little 
trips  to  hold  a  prominent  place  in 
the  exhibits  at  world's  fairs.  We 
students  little  realized  that  we  were 
making  history  that  would  outlive 
us.  It  is  the  rich  quality  of  a  thought 
put  into  our  doings  that  makes  these 
doings  permanent. 


154         YOUNG     AMERICA 

In  years  past  and  in  the  following 
tragical  years  of  our  Civil  War, 
Abraham  Lincoln  uttered  no  uncer- 
tain sounds  in  voicing  his  princi- 
ples He  was  not  fanatical  in  any 
of  his  opinions,  but  without  one 
slight  cloud  of  fear  he  bravely 
advocated  what  he  thought  to  be 
right  and  just.  No  self-righteous- 
ness, no  self- justification,  tarnished 
the  golden  thread  that  he  wove  into 
all  his  sayings  and  doings.  His  ut- 
terances and  acts  were  upon  that 
broad  scale  which  includes  all 
humanity.  Mr.  Lincoln's  love  for 
God  —  reflected  in  love  for  human- 
ity —  made  him  great  Such  poise 
— equilibrium  of  thought  and  pur- 
pose —  as  this  great  man  possessed, 
written  history  almost  fails  to  record 
an  equal.  Study  this  great  character 
and  partake  of  its  spirit  and  strive 
to  leave  one  page  in  enduring  history 
like  unto  it. 

In  1908,  Galesburg  notably  cele- 
brated, on  the  campus  of  Knox 
College,  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of 
the  wonderful,  historical  debate  of 
Stephen    A.  Douglas  and  Abraham 


OUR     SCHOOL     BANNER      155 

Lincoln.  These  two  men,  Lincoln 
and  Douglas,  live  in  the  hearts  of 
our  nation.  Although  they  held 
steadfastly  to  their  own  views  and 
in  the  strength  of  honest  conviction 
aggressively  proclaimed  those  con- 
victions, they  were  stanch  friends. 
After  the  inauguration  which  made 
Mr.  Lincoln  President  of  the  United 
States,  Mr.  Douglas,  the  defeated 
candidate,  was  the  first  of  all  Mr. 
Lincoln's  friends  to  step  forward 
and  clasp  his  hand  in  congratulation. 

Come  what  will,  I  will  keep  my  faith 

with  friend  and  foe,     I  shall  do 

nothing  in  malice.     What  I 

deal  with  is  too  vast  for 

malicious  dealing, 

Abraham  Lincoln. 


OUR  NATIONAL  CEMETERIES 


D 


URING  the  five  years'  Civil 
War  in  the  sixties  of  1800,  many 
lives  were  sacrificed,  many  homes 
made  desolate.  The  South  was  the 
battle-field,  and  the  ravages  of  war 
fell  most  heavily  upon  the  Southern 
States. 

Where  some  of  the  great  battles 
were  fought,  and  where  many  Union 
soldiers  fell,  our  Government  bought 
large  tracts  of  ground  and  dedicated 
them  as  national  cemeteries,  and 
her  sacrificed  soldiers  were  buried 
there.  These  cemeteries  are  uni- 
formly beautiful.  They  were  laid 
out  as  large  parks,  with  semi-tropical 
ornamental  trees,  shrubs,  and  plants. 
There  are  lakes,  running  streams, 
attractive  driveways,  and  beautiful 
green  lawns  in  them.  There  are  no 
mounds,  but  long  lines  of  white 
marble  markers  bearing  names  or  the 
word  "Unknown."  There  are  many 
large,    fine    monuments,    pavilions, 


NATIONAL     CEMETERIES     157 

pagodas,  and  other  attractive  build- 
ings in  these  cemeteries.  Enclosing 
the  grounds  is  a  low  granite  wall 
covered  with  English  ivy. 

The  Southern  States,  in  their 
straightened  circumstances,  could 
do  Kttle  in  memory  of  their  fallen 
dear  ones,  but  they  did  what  they 
could. 

Our  Government  appointed  May 
30  as  the  annual  Decoration  Day 
in  memory  of  the  Union  soldiers 
who  fell  in  her  defense.  The  South 
appointed  May  31  as  the  annual 
Decoration  Day  for  the  Confederate 
soldiers. 

In  1880,  May  30,  I  visited  the 
beautiful  National  Cemetery  at 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  listened  to 
thrilling,  laudatory  words  of  Schuyler 
Colfax,  uttered  in  memory  of  the 
heroic  deeds,  battles,  and  blood  shed 
upon  these  grounds.  It  was  an 
occasion  for  deep  thought  and 
heart  reflections.  Events  of  twenty 
years  ago  came  thick  and  fast  in 
review.  It  was  a  solemn  occasion. 
I  walked  over  that  once  blood-stained 
field,  now  so  wonderfully  beautiful. 


158         YOUNG     AMERICA 

Nothing,  no,  nothing  bore  the  sign 
of  death  except  the  white  markers 
and  monuments.  Life  in  its  luxuri- 
ant activity  was  singing  a  song  of 
joy  and  beauty. 

I  visited  Lookout  Mountain,  saw 
the  running  water  at  her  feet,  her 
formidable  sides  reaching  far  up, 
which  the  Union  heroes  scaled.  In 
peace  and  quiet  I  thoughtfully 
wended  my  way  up  —  up  —  where 
time  had  obhterated  all  marks  of 
those  horrible  battle  days.  No,  not 
all  were  gone,  for  here  and  there 
were  barricades.  Works  of  protec- 
tion were  the  last  to  go. 

The  same  year  I  visited  Rich- 
mond, Virginia.  My  (Confederate) 
friends  took  me  to  see  the  beauti- 
ful National  Cemetery  —  a  real  joy 
in  its  completeness.  I  asked  these 
friends,  as  we  drove  away,  if  they 
would  take  me  to  the  Confederate 
Cemetery.  They  said,  "Yes,  we 
will  take  you  to  the  resting  fields 
of  our  dear  ones,  who  bravely  fought 
and  died  for  a  lost  cause."  We 
drove  to  another  part  of  the  city 
and  out  into  the  country  and  entered 


NATIONAL     CEMETERIES     159 

an  unkept,  unworked  field.  In 
the  distance  we  saw  a  very  large 
monument  of  irregular,  piled  gran- 
ite blocks  in  the  shape  of  a  cone. 
Creeping  ivy  was  concealing  the 
crevices.  There  was  one  large,  pol- 
ished stone  bearing  its  love  story. 
We  walked  around  this  large  monu- 
ment, admiring  it  and  talking  of 
the  love  and  sacrifice  for  which 
it  stood.  We  looked  through  the 
grounds;  the  wooden  markers  were 
falling;  there  were  no  individual 
monuments.  Nature-planted  trees 
and  flowers  were  seen  here  and 
there,  —  no  lawns  and  no  laid-out 
driveways.  My  friend  in  tears  said : 
"We  did  all  we  could  for  our  dead 
brothers;  we  had  to  care  for  the 
living."  As  we  walked  slowly  away, 
my  friend's  hand  in  mine,  the  sacri- 
fices of  the  Civil  War  days  flooded 
me  and  my  heart  sank  within  me. 
Human  sympathy  gave  its  best  to 
soothe  and  to  allay  the  anguish 
in  my  dear  friend's  heart,  for  I 
loved  her. 

More    than    twenty    years    have 
passed   since   that    day.     Common 


l6o         YOUNG     AMERICA 

interests,  common  loves  for  a  com- 
mon country,  have  joined  the  North 
and  the  South  in  one  strong  bond  of 
union,  and  the  National  Decora- 
tion Day  is  for  all  her  children. 

Under  the  protection  of  one  and 
the  same  flag  our  country's  sons 
are  brothers. 


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